Having an opinion and sharing it is a thing we're privileged to do in these times. Justifying our opinions and qualifying them with contemplative thought and convincing argument takes a little more effort. This does all of that. Everything is justified, all criticisms are fair, even down to the legit-bait video title. After initially being shocked at the price, I've since been close to buying this based on so many reports of how good it is, but after this I think I'll....relent. 😉 Thanks Geoff, great summary.
Yep. It's now out of my price range as well. There was a time when I used to pick up the Lag 12 for around 450 shekels (about £110) in Israel, but it's on sale today for around 750 shekels (£170-180). Yes, I used to enjoy it but at that price, there are a few peated Islays for a third (or less) of the price which are just as good. Lag 8 and Lag 9 are both Ex-Bourbon cask matured just like the Lag 12. Kilchoman 100% Islay, Caol Ila 12 and 18, Ardbeg 10, Bowmore Tempest, Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength and of course Islays from Signatory independent bottlings which are superb value for money. Lag 12 just isn't on my RADAR.
Really happy with your criticism of the Diageo marketing machine. I couldn’t agree more! Would love to hear your opinion on the Bunnahabhain 12 CS and also more independent bottlings.
you are getting more and more on point, i am really happy with your down to earth approach. I do spend money on more pricier bottles if they seem to be worth it but this Lag 12 is not for me anymore, I am not a collector but a drinker and it be better very special to fork out € 200 for a 12 year old Keep up this very good work
I really enjoy lagavulin 8 and was considering buying the 12. But it is 130€ xD. I bought Glen scotia victoriana and the 2021 campbeltowns malts festival for 110. So 2 CS bottles of a distillery/company that at least tries to bring craftish stuff, or 1 bottle from a company that uses just way too much e150 and doesn´t give is a lot of 46% or higher juice. Again Geoff i appreciate your honest review! Cheers
Love this vid and couldn't agree more. It would be much better if you could share the price that you paid for and in what price range you would buy this bottle. Am I too demanding? 🤔
Another good review Geoff. Just curious, how do you compare the value of something like this Laga next to say many of the iterations of Kavalan Soloist. Kavalan generally being as expensive if not many times more expensive for what most would consider relatively young whisky.
Climate is a consideration, not simply age when it comes to Kavalan. Kavalan is too expensive in the west. The four “main” Solost releases are considerably cheaper here, coming in at just over USD $100. I hear it's double that in many places. I'd probably skip them if they came in anywhere near $200 to be honest. At $110-ish, I've got no complaints. I'll be reviewing them in February.
Much appreciate the honest review. I can get the Glenfarclas 21 for the same price or the 17 for a little less. That’s a no-brainer for the Glenfarclas.
Glad to see the widespread disapproval of Diageo and of this bottling in particular, because it means there will be more for me 😁. I agree with Serge, but thanks as always for an honest and considered appraisal.
You're spot on again with your summary, Geoff. Too expensive. The company directors don't ask, How much has this cost us to produce and market? They ask, What's the top dollar we dare ask for this bottling? Fair enough - that's business and they are in business to make money. But as Ralfy is quick to point out, we whisky drinkers can vote with our feet and walk away. Just don't buy it. Diagio will then (hopefully) get the message. I'm sure they will certainly have listened to your thoughts very carefully. Slainte!
Yeah I was excited to get this one for my birthday, then I saw the price and said that there are so many other whiskies in that price bracket I'd prefer
I picked up the Lagavulin 12 cask strength 2022 release a week ago and really like the heavy smoke/peat and spices along with the strong vanilla influence from the virgin casks. The lemon/citrus and brine still show themselves as well.
Man, thanks for the honest review!!! Really refreshing to see this. All the ones I’ve watched were so positive on this specific bottle that I decided to pay an arm and a leg to secure a bottle from the UK, oopf… only to be disappointed. Not with the whisky but with the value. I guess I had to pay that to get that knowledge and experience. I agree with you, there are many, many more whiskies that I would rather get for that price going forward. Diageo is a master of marketing something for more than it really is. It’s an art and a skill, yes, but I don’t like it. More power to you man!
Thanks, Lloyd! Yeah I have to call out nonsense when I see it. Good whisky is good whisky, but the price-tag and all the hype is precisely the kind of thing that's ruining good quality affordable whiskies.
You explained it well. The lagavulin 12 defenitly a very good scotch. But damn for the price you can have much better scotch. Don't know how much you payed for it. But for example if you pay 150euro. Well then I rather buy 2 bottles off ardbeg uigedail for 70-75euro a bottle. Just my opinion... Edit I see prices too 180eu a bottle. Damn. Then I rather buy a bottle off octomore for example.
Great summary Geoff. I love the 16 and hate the 8, with this being right in the middle I'm hesitant to purchase for the fear it is too much like the 8. I've had the distillers edition and love it, and for $20 less that the 12 in Australia I'm inclined to lean towards another purchase of the DE instead. Can you tell me, do you think the 12 is closer to the 8 or the 16? The only thing that is enticing me is that the 12 is cask strength.
In character it's closet to the 8, as it's much more spirit driven with no sherry influence. It seems you like the sweeter, rou Der iterations of Lagavulin. If that's the case, this one might not be for you. Cheers MM! 🥃
Loved, loved, loved your review!!!. I started in scotch January 2019 went to Scotland August that year. Went all Macallan, Speyside came back Campbeltown, SpringBank Glen Scotia and Glendronach. Found Ralfy and by the next summer found out about low ABV, chillfiltered scotches I was(and still am) outraged!!! Call them out was excellent! My journey has taken me to Islay, peat and Lagavulin 12 CS. Even at the inflated price I will have at least one bottle to work through to know and understand... But I will know what I'm doing this one time an integrity bottle of Lagavulin...I am enjoying the 8yr and have a 200ml of the 16 for reference. I really appreciate your candor and how you clearly stated the corporate truth, reality. I have so much to say but I will try to tack it on to the appropriate and relevant review. I'm no ones Patreon but you have me thinking.....I'm retired blah, blah, blah Great stuff! .
Hah thanks Cecil. This review definitely struck a nerve with some. Good stuff for sure, but there's a cynical side to this release that I just couldn't ignore. It's definitely beautiful, but these price hikes are out of hand. When great whisky gets greedy... Cheers Cecil! Always happy to see you pop up in the comments!
Hi Geoff, an excellent and honest review which almost ended in a little rant? I can understand why, I love both the 16 & the 8 and would love to try the CS 12 but its way out of my preis range, especially for whisky thats only 12 years old. Think someone at Diageo is having a laugh. Thanks for your honest opinion, take care and Slàinte mhath
Couldn't agree more, I find myself buying almost no Diageo products anymore for that exact reason. Switched to indie Coal Ilas, and bought the Laga 16, as there is not a lot of Indies of it sadly...
Yea I would love to try this but in Canada where I am, it's at $215 plus tax. I just did a big order online and could have bought a bottle, but I got a bottle of Arran 21 for $225 instead, which is one of my favourite 21s I have had in awhile. So I agree, just not worth the price for us common folk.
I've been looking for this bottle everywhere for months. I can't find it anywhere other than incredibly marked up bottles online. I've been checking my big box liquor stores around. my local total wine had "coming in March 2022" then during March it said "coming in April 2022." Now it just says out of stock. I've given up looking for a bottle.
love ur humour! Thanks for the review! Do u always try the whiskey with a little of water when its CS or u try it at first natural without water? also will there be other lists like ur favourit top 10 Huglnad or speyside scotchs? thanks again and keep up the good work! P.S can u make a video about Diageo and tell us more why u ''love'' so mutch this compagnie? lol
Hah thanks Andrei! I always try every whisky that's 46% or higher first without, then with water and adjust from there. However I tend to use less water than most other reviewers. I don't have that specific list on the list of upcoming videos, but I'll be doing lists every two weeks or so just to keep things lively! A Diageo bashing vid would be deserved, but I'm not sure I want to go that outright negative or angry. Maybe someday?
@@Gwhisky thanks for the response! About Diageo...I am kinda new to whiskey (only been into it for less then 2 years) and not sure why a lot of ppl dont like this compagnie. I hear bits and pieces her and there but I cant forme a goiod picture for myself. Tjhanks agaiN!
@@andreipuscarenco532 It's because the vast majority of their products are coloured and chill filtered. There are also a lot of recent price hikes on their non-craft-presented products. They own a lot of different brands and they're often accused of compromising the quality of their whiskies in the pursuit of bottom-line profits.
pleased to see this as I really love the 8 (for £38 Clubcard deal in Tesco... might be a different story otherwise ... despite the simplicity/youth just lovely to be able to have a real sense of how nice the base spirit is) so always very very tempted by these but I always balked at the price for this despite some FoMO... (and I see no reason from diverging from Laphropaig CS)
Amen brother. Extorting us for a craft presentation is going to catch up with Diageo eventually. Hard to justify paying 2x or more for this over Ardbeg Coryvrecken, which is craft presented at high proof and always available. Feels like we should reward Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, etc for consistency of craft presentation. Could you imagine what they would charge for a craft presented Lag 16 or Talisker 18?
Yeah a refill 12 is bad enough. I didn't even bother checking out the price of their 26 year old release this year. There's no way it's anywhere even close to reasonable. We definitely should spend on the craft stuff instead!
Great point on marketing and the cost. Had a quick look at uk retailers and glad to say that it has not sold out. I for one don’t have the budget for these kind of whiskies.
I've been staring at this Lagavulin 12, 2021 in my local supermarket for a few months (collecting dust, if you can believe it) at the best price near me, $142.99 US. Everywhere else, it's being sold for $200 or more in the San Francisco bay area. I ended up meeting a big Lag fan during my first sample swap and tipped him off to the bottle. I just couldn't justify the price. And now, the 8 is going for $60, and the 16 has cleared $110 near me. I bought the 8 and 16 for $50 and $73 respectively a little bit ago, both being my first bottles of each. Guess I'll never buy another bottle of Lagavulin again...
Agree. Laga prices are getting out of hand. A lot of hype over this bottle, and it's good, but I didn't feel I got my money's worth. The 16 recently shot up in price here, too, so I doubt I'll be buying it much down the line. The 8 is still one I'd consider, although I'm not being asked to pay $73 for it. Yet. Cheers.
Nice saying!! Only had tried 2020 edition, and yeah it's punchy and decent, but not out of expectation. With that price, as you say, it better shows more, or I just paying a lot on art and word"Special Releases".
So so popular but so so expensive nowadays. In my area the cheapest is $160 before tax. Before these used to be so much cheaper. I do enjoy Lagavulin but 12 year CS for $160+. Idk now. Anyway thanks for the super balanced review. I think with how Diageo bestows upon us these CS whiskys albeit at a super high price I think that is why I enjoy the Independent bottlings from the distilleries that are part of the Diageo stable.
You are right on point regarding prices Geoff. Distillers need to be transparent to justify these highly inflated prices. Well over $200 for a 12 year old and you can't even find or buy it at that price. Inflation is one thing but these prices are unjustifiable and I am hoping they become unsustainable some time in future....hopefully.
An honest perspective. There are whiskies for drinking and there are whiskies for collecting. This one seems to be more for the collectors. Yes there are better value whiskies out there for the money,, but it's all relative, in years to come these bottles will probably be selling for multiple times the retail which is why the collector's who are buying these now can justify the cost and have no problem spending the extra cash. Look at Macallan 18 sherry as an example, the majority of people buying these bottles do not buy to drink, they buy to invest. Lagavulin and Diageo have found a market and people make their choice either way. It's the same with fine wine, luxury watches, classic cars etc. People don't want to put their money into banks any more, as money loses value and certain premium or luxury assets don't. Though the great thing about whisky is in 20 years time you can go to your stash and pull out that special bottle from 2021 that is now worth way more than you would be willing to pay for it and open it and appreciate it even more... Or sell it to buy a heap of great drinking whiskies. Cheers
I understand the collector scene, and I understand that many people approach whisky as an investment. That's fair enough, I have (very few) bottles put away that I'd be happy to either drink or sell down the line. However this channel is by a drinker for drinkers, so I am sensitive to pricing, and I'll admit it frustrates me when I overpay for a whisky simply because of its collectibility.
Well done you. Call this bottle out. Too expensive like you say. I’d buy this in a heartbeat if it was £85-£90. £130 is silly money. I mean, I could buy two Springbank 12s for that or three Port Charlotte 10yo. I know what I’d rather have. Call me old fashioned, but I loved the old 12yo bottle and box design. Classy. I’d love to see you review an MB Roland. Really stunning stuff coming out of south west Kentucky
Thanks Mendip! You're right. £85-ish would be OK for this, but £130 is just absurd. It's certainly NOT better than Springbank 12. No idea why they think these prices are acceptable. I've never heard of an MB Roland. Certainly not available in Taiwan, unfortunately. Cheers 🥃
I have always purchased and collected these Lag 12's but after the 2018 bottling the quantity has dropped and the price has gone up... agree with many of your thoughts.
I got a few cases of Laga12 CS in 2003 (batch 2 and 3) for 75$CAD (50 USD) left in the basement to sip. i stop buying Laga12 when they wen tup in price in 2008 and switched to Laph Quarter Cask for 65$CAD (40 USD) . . . at 200$+ CAD today 2021-2022 , blah ! pass ! go Ledaig 10 , more fusile.
Great review and tasting notes. I do love the salty lemon peat on this one but (and this is my unpopular opinion that I've expressed before and promise not to go on and on about 😉) that tar note with the fuminess isnt something I overly enjoy in a whisky this young and is why I enjoy Lagavulin more at an older age (but not 43 bloody %!). Spot on regarding the price and the fact that you can get 21yo Scotch for this price. Or at least you can at the moment. This stuff is overpriced. Cheers!
I'll have to look out for that tar note. In fairness, it does seem like I enjoy this more than you. I think it's a lively pour. But it's when I think about some of the other better whiskies that I could have purchased for less, that's when this starts to taste worse. Cheers!
The 2017 version was the first Islay bottle that blew my socks off, but it cost $99. I saw the 2021 on the shelf in December for $150, so I passed on it despite loving the look of the bottle. It’s going for more just one month later. I’m not saying that I’ll never buy another bottle, but I won’t buy one every year like I do with the Laphroaig 10 cask strength.
I don't need my living room to look like a whisky warehouse. If I avoid ABV less then 45.8, and chillfiltered...and Diageo that leaves me with SpringBank, Arran, Bruichladdich, Glenallachie and Ledaig plus a few others. Quite a few actually. I'm OK with that. It makes shopping a bit easier when so much of the inventory is just not happening.
I just bought a bottle in Japan for ¥13,600 (94USD TAX Included)...l am just wondering so what do you think is the reasonable price for this one? $50, $60, or $70?
Any chance of you getting a bottle of “Three Ships 12yo” from South Africa 🇿🇦? I have a bottle but not cracked it - would enjoy to see your take as I open it to compare 👍👍
Excellent review Geoff!! It has been a while, and I am still catching up on your other videos for the last few months. You said it all here. Good whisky. Yes. Would I buy it? No! I mean I can get a Bunna 18, Talisker 18, Ledaig 18 for a lower price! I can get the Bunna Moine Bordeaux and Bunna 13 Manzanilla cask for 50$ less online. And those are probably the best whiskies I have had in the last 2 years. Where does the extra money go? To pay the marketing people come up with fables that would soon be made into a movie or a OTT show with a cult following. Whatever.
Wow! Great to have you back, Soumya! You've been missed around these parts! 🥃 Totally agree. When I think of all the better bottles I can get for less, I cringe thinking of how much coin I dropped on this. The price should be halved. That Bunna Manzanilla has been on the radar for a while! I'm IN LOVE with my Moine Brandy Finish at the moment. Top 5 bottles I've had to be perfectly honest. Anyway.. this Laga... what a gyp! Cheers and Happy New Year! 🥂
Me and some friends just had a Lagvulin night, this one was OK but I've rated it 5 out of 8. it wasn't nearly as good as the 2019 release that we've all rated 2nd (the 25 years old was the unanimous winner) so if someone wants to spend their money on a cask strength special release, i would recommend the 2019 in a heartbeat. so much richer and complex.
I'll just go with a Laphroaig Cairdeas PX Sherry finished cask strength and either a Laphroaig 10 year cask strength or a Laphroaig 10 year Sherry Oak finish. Those two bottles will only be around $20-$30 more than the one Lagavulin 12.
I can tell you where that extra hype-driven profit is going, and it's why I'm off Diageo. As I mentioned recently, I can get Ledaig 18 for $90, and Laphroaig 10 CS usually sells for under $100, and even Lagavulin 16, which should be more expensive to produce given its extra age, 1st fill casks, added E150A, and chill-filtration, so yeah, it's a rip off if you plan on drinking it; but like those GAME OF THRONES bottles, I suspect most of these will sit on a shelf in a man-cave somewhere ✌️
Wow! Where do you find Ledaig 18 for $90. It’s like $150+ on a good day anywhere in the US I can find it. Laphroaig CS is money if you can get your hands on it.
I got into whisky far too late in life, and at the worst possible time with regards to pricing. Apparently Lagavulin 16 was easy to find for around £46 a couple of years ago. It's now £80, and the price is slowly rising all the time...
No it's under that in Taiwan closer to $150. Personally I think $/abv is an oversimplification. Distillate quality, age, brand, profile, casks - too many other factors to consider in my opinion.
In my humble opinion, 2 very different offerings, it’s like comparing the 8 & 16, both great in their own right. If you want high proof at value for $$$, stick to Port Charlotte 10, hard to beat.
Agreed! It’s really good whisky but the price is getting to be a problem. I was buying these for $100 not long ago, now at $160-170 it’s not a good value any more. This may be the last year I purchase and I’ve been a regular buyer each year. I almost passed on this one but I was in Scotland at Lagavulin this year so I chose to buy a few of these.
Yeah, gotta disagree (a lot). It’s great whisky. Not really good, but to me great whisky. What beats it that is materially cheaper? Sitting here with the 2018 and I wish I had bought a case. The latest version, for me, is even better.
Fair enough. Matter of taste. I've got a lot of whiskies that I consider to be both better and cheaper. Off the top of my head, I've got a Bunnahabhain CS Moine Brandy, a Laphroaig 16, a Ledaig 18, a Springbank 12 CS (bought before prices went nuts), an Oban 12 CS (from the same year), a Glenlivet 13 CS, and several others. I also love the 8 at almost 1/3 the price. As for the 12 itself, I found this to be lesser than several of the other releases, my favourite being the 2011. Of course it's all a matter of opinion. I'm glad you enjoy it. I do seem to be in the minority with this one.
pricing is also being impacted by carbon footprint mitigation. At least that's what some of the distilleries are probably looking at. It is also irritating to see the premiumization of whisky just by putting Aslan on the tin. I am trying to avoid high priced whiskies period which means forcing myself back to about $75 CAD for a bottle. That surprisingly still gives me access to some good value drams but I definitely have to be more selective and rely on reviews like yours to give me some direction....cheers and Happy New Year.
A self-imposed budget cap is always a smart idea. No need to overpay when we do have access to affordable bottles. Shame Canadian bottle prices are so high, though. Cheers and Happy New Year! 🥃🥂
Carbon footprint? Now that's some BS that's even bigger than Diageo. Carbon tax is going save the world cause Boone can afford to go anywhere or buy anything. Please Daddy, might I have some 40% whisky??
Diagio tests pockets of her enthusiasts, also a tasting, worse whisky for higher price, but i see that this is not the end of fun yet, I got away game in 2018 ;), thx for review 👍
Great video. I've left a number of highly critical comments about this expression for the past few years. If we cut to the chase it's not, by any means, a special release. The biggest problem, of course, is the price. I bought it for years when it was £80 and even then it made my eyes water a bit but I loved it so it was a go. The year it hit £110 I thought I've had enough of this shit. Pure exploitation by adding it to the Special Release range with all its marketing crap and jacking up the price. It's a 12 year whisky in refill casks so why the price apart from watering the slithering fingers of Diageo's Board and shareholders. To add insult to injury it jumped price again to £125 a bottle and folk even think it's not as good as it was. It's very clear Diageo don't give a damn about traditional whisky drinkers. They just see opportunity and that's often in wealthy new markets. I actually find it rather repulsive that they think newly emerging markets are so desperate to jump on board the capitalist merry go round they'll pay anything to join the club. There are still suckers buying this but I urge people to stop. They are getting rich whilst taking the piss out of you. Ivan Menezes, the CEO of Diageo, was recently on BBC 4's flagship news programme, Today, talking about how Diageo was making record profits despite the pandemic and global slowdown. He mentioned Johnnie Walker at every possible opportunity. Not once did he mention single malt. We're a containable sideshow to Diageo with an opportunity to be fleeced.
You're right about the production costs being low. No special casks to buy, matured in refill barrels, nothing difficult or elaborate about the process. Usually Taiwan is cheaper than other markets, but I paid about the equivalent of £125 here and it certainly wasn't worth it. I used to love this one myself. I paid far less, and you're right, it used to be better.
I think it's awesome that you called out their insipid marketing bullshit AND their pricing. That drivel you read on the can was pretty embarrassing. Are they marketing to little kids who think these dopey fake storylines about burning lions mean something? At a time where there is just so much reasonably-priced, high-quality peated Scotch out there (from Islay and other areas), Diageo should be called out. No way I'm going to support them. And fwiw, I hate the silly bottle art on these - it's one I'd hide if I had it. Thanks again - love your reviews.
Yeah geoff , the price hike is too much , couple of years ago laga 12 was £85 -£90 , then jumped to £110 in 2020 , now i its £128 , diageo are getting far too greegy
Nest time, can you please add english sub-title in your video? I know that "nefew" must be a joke and as cold as hell...but English is not my native and I cannot fully understand it, unless I see the words exactly.
My man Geoff telling it like it is.. It will never make it to Cambodia...I looked up the price around the world.. Pretty steep for a 12 year old. CS or not. I can get a dusty liter of Lagavulin D.E. from about ten years ago for $135us. I can get 700ml 16s for $71.50 us...no tax... I guess I am glad I do not have to think about it. I saw where the Redbreast 12 CS was discontinued. I know where I can get one and still have $80us to buy some other kick ass bottle. Thanks buddy... I would prefer a plain Lagavulin bottle without the lion bs.. Cheers...I sure would like to have a taste... The beauty of Cambodia...no new release pressure...ha ha..
@@Gwhisky Yes, the country being open inside the border is helping me get to more stores. I will head over to the capitol in a few weeks. Grab some discontinued gems and a few of his bargains... A liter of Glenfarclas 12 for 35us...no tax...seems like a bargain...I want to blend some 105 into it...
@@jeffmill999 Hah mad scientist homemade experiments can produce some amazing results. Never tried the 12 with the 105, but it could work! Lemme know how it goes!
Good stuff Geoff - this BS that Diageo dishes out with these stratosphere priced releases while continuing to gouge on so many of their distilleries. I’ve never bought a bottle of their special releases, as I’ve never bought a Macallan - up their bum - I’ve got a heap of other whisky just as good if not better, craft presented and great drams. It’s not to say I don’t have a Clynelish, Talisker, Lagavulin on the shelf, but I wouldn’t chase out a Diageo special bottling of them. My buying habits have slowed down with the price rising so I’m more picky now. This overpriced whisky wouldn’t make a top 50 currently, and even with the quality consideration. Cheers 🍻
Just got my hands on Springbank 10 and Kilkerran 8 port cask for less than ONE of these. It’s probably delicious but I’ll pass. No chance it’s worth it. Totally agree with you.
I like the old design, so-so on the last 2 release but loved this new one. But i cannot for the love of whisky to buy this new one for twice the price of the previous versions. The previous ones are $150 usd and this new one is $260 usd. As much as i love the design, its way too overpriced. For that price, id rather get Glendronach 21.
It's honestly just basic economics - supply and demand. They charge what their target market is willing to spend, which is what the current price is set to. This has sold out in most stores, so the price point was at an acceptable level to the consumer. An enthusiast seeking value shouldn't buy this bottle. One who wants an unaltered Lagavulin drinking experience and is okay with the premium price should seek it out. Unfortunately, value seeking enthusiasts (I am one of them) is a tiny segment of the whisky market and Diageo is going after bigger fish, which from a business stand point, is understandable. Cheers!
@@Gwhisky lol fair enough - plenty of great alternatives at a lower price - indy bottlings of cask strength Caol Ila can usually hit some of those notes! 🥃
@@Gwhisky oh interesting - I haven’t had a ton of Caol ilas, but the one I finished recently, ex-bourbon 10 yo cask strength reminded me very much of a laga, and I’ve heard from others that the two share similar profiles 🤷🏼♂️
Port Charlotte PAC-01 and Cairdeas 2021 are way better priced and better. If Diageo didn't own Lagavulin can you imagine how much better it would be ? It's impossible to get indy bottled Lagavulin because we all know it would be better just like how Caol Ila indy bottles are better
I've got a bottle of PAC on the go right now. You're right, it's better! And the price is much fairer. Not a fan of Diageo and they're special releases anymore.
I've never bought any of Diageo's Special Releases and most probably never will. Whenever I see a bottle of booze priced like this I just can't help myself asking: where is the gloryhole? Because at 150+ euros it HAS TO HAVE ONE to go with the 12 yo spirit. The 2021 releases has yet to make it to Bulgaria and although alcohol is relatively cheaper over here I expect the price to be well north of 100 euros. I'll pass on general principle. To add insult to the injury Diageo not only charge absurd money for their Special Releases but their "core range" expressions are still poorly, or as per Roy from Aquavitae "cynically" presented. What are they trying to tell us? That they are able to come out with integrity presented spirit only at "special releases" price? BTW, I seriously doubt Serge from Whiskyfun pays the full premium for all the whisky he tastes. I'm pretty confident that the vast majority of it comes in (free) samples so he may write whatever recommendations he sees fit but still I ain't paying those prices even if Diageo Special Releases turn out to be the last whisky left on Earth. Cheers!
Yeah I realize Serge is working with samples. I respect him greatly, but awarding this “bang for your buck” whisky of 2021 does a disservice to the average consumer with budgets to consider. It's a 12 yr old refill cask whisky. Cask Strength? Yes. Delicious? Yes. Worth it? Nah. Cut that price in half then we can talk.
@@Gwhisky exactly, the standard 16 probably costs more to make yet is around half the cost of this. The port askaig 100 degree is similar to this at one quarter the cost in Alberta, Canada.
Yep, out of my price range. I’m sticking with the 8 yo going forward along with Talisker 10 is as far as my Diageo purchases are going until things change. I think they see the pricing bubble about to burst and are gouging as much profit as possible as the demand I think won’t be there in 2022/2023. Hold your noses it’s global economic recession time. We’re all going to need a few unrelenting nephews lol 😂
Lagavulin and Laphroaigs are the Macallans of peated whisky; undeniably good stuff but its the expensive gift the uninitiated always reaches for in the duty free. Far too overhyped and overpriced for the real whisky enthusiasts.
Well I'm not the biggest Laphroaig fan, but it isn't nearly as overpriced in my market as the Laga stuff. And aside from the 10, it's consistently presented at 48%, so I'm not sure they're comparable, but certainly there's room for improvement with both brands. Cheers, Alex, thanks for watching. 🥃
Some relatives of my relent too much, others too little…. Todays youth, eh. The marketing guff is excruciating - even if it is only a metaphor, it’s weak af…
Having an opinion and sharing it is a thing we're privileged to do in these times. Justifying our opinions and qualifying them with contemplative thought and convincing argument takes a little more effort. This does all of that. Everything is justified, all criticisms are fair, even down to the legit-bait video title. After initially being shocked at the price, I've since been close to buying this based on so many reports of how good it is, but after this I think I'll....relent. 😉 Thanks Geoff, great summary.
Thanks Roy. Not usually a “rant” channel, but this one set me off. Cheers.
Love the term “legit-bate” btw. 😉🥃
It’s an awesome whisky. I don’t have an issue with the price because I don’t know what I’d like better for less.
Yep. It's now out of my price range as well. There was a time when I used to pick up the Lag 12 for around 450 shekels (about £110) in Israel, but it's on sale today for around 750 shekels (£170-180). Yes, I used to enjoy it but at that price, there are a few peated Islays for a third (or less) of the price which are just as good. Lag 8 and Lag 9 are both Ex-Bourbon cask matured just like the Lag 12. Kilchoman 100% Islay, Caol Ila 12 and 18, Ardbeg 10, Bowmore Tempest, Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength and of course Islays from Signatory independent bottlings which are superb value for money. Lag 12 just isn't on my RADAR.
Great alternatives you've picked there. This is beautiful stuff but the price tag makes no sense anymore. Cheers Reb!🥃
Really happy with your criticism of the Diageo marketing machine. I couldn’t agree more! Would love to hear your opinion on the Bunnahabhain 12 CS and also more independent bottlings.
Thanks Axel. I'm very keen to try that Bunna out! Sadly it has yet to reach Taiwan. Rest assured I'll grab it the moment it does! 🥃
It would be great to see the review of the Oban 12 special edition.
I was considering that one!
you are getting more and more on point, i am really happy with your down to earth approach. I do spend money on more pricier bottles if they seem to be worth it but this Lag 12 is not for me anymore, I am not a collector but a drinker and it be better very special to fork out € 200 for a 12 year old
Keep up this very good work
Thanks for the kind words. Wow I'm surprised this is €200 where you are. At that price... no way! 🥃
I really enjoy lagavulin 8 and was considering buying the 12. But it is 130€ xD. I bought Glen scotia victoriana and the 2021 campbeltowns malts festival for 110. So 2 CS bottles of a distillery/company that at least tries to bring craftish stuff, or 1 bottle from a company that uses just way too much e150 and doesn´t give is a lot of 46% or higher juice. Again Geoff i appreciate your honest review! Cheers
If I could go back I'd do the same. I could get two great bottles for the price of this one. Appreciate the kind words, Lucas! 🥃
Love this vid and couldn't agree more.
It would be much better if you could share the price that you paid for and in what price range you would buy this bottle.
Am I too demanding? 🤔
Another good review Geoff. Just curious, how do you compare the value of something like this Laga next to say many of the iterations of Kavalan Soloist. Kavalan generally being as expensive if not many times more expensive for what most would consider relatively young whisky.
Climate is a consideration, not simply age when it comes to Kavalan. Kavalan is too expensive in the west. The four “main” Solost releases are considerably cheaper here, coming in at just over USD $100. I hear it's double that in many places. I'd probably skip them if they came in anywhere near $200 to be honest. At $110-ish, I've got no complaints. I'll be reviewing them in February.
Much appreciate the honest review. I can get the Glenfarclas 21 for the same price or the 17 for a little less. That’s a no-brainer for the Glenfarclas.
Thanks for watching. Personally speaking I think there are countless examples of better ways to spend that kind of money! 🥃
I'm not sure I've ever laughed harder from a Scotch video. Banger marketing
Glad to see the widespread disapproval of Diageo and of this bottling in particular, because it means there will be more for me 😁. I agree with Serge, but thanks as always for an honest and considered appraisal.
Glad you enjoy it!
Excellent review! Thank you for your honest and truthful review!
Thanks for watching Judah! 🙏
Very interesting I had a pour of this at the Oban distillery last week and hated it but it was definitely from the neck...
Yeah took a couple weeks for me to really enjoy it...
You're spot on again with your summary, Geoff. Too expensive. The company directors don't ask, How much has this cost us to produce and market? They ask, What's the top dollar we dare ask for this bottling? Fair enough - that's business and they are in business to make money. But as Ralfy is quick to point out, we whisky drinkers can vote with our feet and walk away. Just don't buy it. Diagio will then (hopefully) get the message. I'm sure they will certainly have listened to your thoughts very carefully. Slainte!
Well I'm not Ralfy but hopefully a few ppl out there will heed my warning. Not worth it! Cheers Victor. 🥃
Yeah I was excited to get this one for my birthday, then I saw the price and said that there are so many other whiskies in that price bracket I'd prefer
I think you made the right call! 🥃
@@Gwhisky after trying my 13 year old signatory cask strength 1st fill sherry matured ledaig.... I agree .....with enough change for a ledaig 10 too
I picked up the Lagavulin 12 cask strength 2022 release a week ago and really like the heavy smoke/peat and spices along with the strong vanilla influence from the virgin casks. The lemon/citrus and brine still show themselves as well.
Glad you're enjoying!
Man, thanks for the honest review!!! Really refreshing to see this. All the ones I’ve watched were so positive on this specific bottle that I decided to pay an arm and a leg to secure a bottle from the UK, oopf… only to be disappointed. Not with the whisky but with the value. I guess I had to pay that to get that knowledge and experience. I agree with you, there are many, many more whiskies that I would rather get for that price going forward. Diageo is a master of marketing something for more than it really is. It’s an art and a skill, yes, but I don’t like it. More power to you man!
Thanks, Lloyd! Yeah I have to call out nonsense when I see it. Good whisky is good whisky, but the price-tag and all the hype is precisely the kind of thing that's ruining good quality affordable whiskies.
You explained it well. The lagavulin 12 defenitly a very good scotch. But damn for the price you can have much better scotch. Don't know how much you payed for it. But for example if you pay 150euro. Well then I rather buy 2 bottles off ardbeg uigedail for 70-75euro a bottle.
Just my opinion...
Edit I see prices too 180eu a bottle. Damn. Then I rather buy a bottle off octomore for example.
Very balanced review, as ever. And well said as regards premiumisation and endless price rises.
Thanks Paul! 🙏
Great summary Geoff. I love the 16 and hate the 8, with this being right in the middle I'm hesitant to purchase for the fear it is too much like the 8. I've had the distillers edition and love it, and for $20 less that the 12 in Australia I'm inclined to lean towards another purchase of the DE instead. Can you tell me, do you think the 12 is closer to the 8 or the 16? The only thing that is enticing me is that the 12 is cask strength.
In character it's closet to the 8, as it's much more spirit driven with no sherry influence. It seems you like the sweeter, rou Der iterations of Lagavulin. If that's the case, this one might not be for you. Cheers MM! 🥃
@@Gwhisky Thanks for the advice mate!
Loved, loved, loved your review!!!. I started in scotch January 2019 went to Scotland August that year. Went all Macallan, Speyside came back Campbeltown, SpringBank Glen Scotia and Glendronach. Found Ralfy and by the next summer found out about low ABV, chillfiltered scotches I was(and still am) outraged!!!
Call them out was excellent! My journey has taken me to Islay, peat and Lagavulin 12 CS. Even at the inflated price I will have at least one bottle to work through to know and understand... But I will know what I'm doing this one time an integrity bottle of Lagavulin...I am enjoying the 8yr and have a 200ml of the 16 for reference. I really appreciate your candor and how you clearly stated the corporate truth, reality. I have so much to say but I will try to tack it on to the appropriate and relevant review. I'm no ones Patreon but you have me thinking.....I'm retired blah, blah, blah
Great stuff!
.
Hah thanks Cecil. This review definitely struck a nerve with some. Good stuff for sure, but there's a cynical side to this release that I just couldn't ignore. It's definitely beautiful, but these price hikes are out of hand. When great whisky gets greedy...
Cheers Cecil! Always happy to see you pop up in the comments!
Hi Geoff, an excellent and honest review which almost ended in a little rant? I can understand why, I love both the 16 & the 8 and would love to try the CS 12 but its way out of my preis range, especially for whisky thats only 12 years old. Think someone at Diageo is having a laugh. Thanks for your honest opinion, take care and Slàinte mhath
Thanks David, always happy to have a comment pop up from you. Someone's definitely having a laugh at Diageo HQ! Cheers buddy! 🥃
Couldn't agree more, I find myself buying almost no Diageo products anymore for that exact reason. Switched to indie Coal Ilas, and bought the Laga 16, as there is not a lot of Indies of it sadly...
Hi, Geoff! Thank you for review!
Thanks for watching! 🙏
@@Gwhisky And greetings from Russia! I really like your reviews!
Much appreciated. Greetings from Taiwan! 🥃
Yea I would love to try this but in Canada where I am, it's at $215 plus tax. I just did a big order online and could have bought a bottle, but I got a bottle of Arran 21 for $225 instead, which is one of my favourite 21s I have had in awhile. So I agree, just not worth the price for us common folk.
I haven't had the Arran 21, but somehow I already know that's money better spent! 🥃
I've been looking for this bottle everywhere for months. I can't find it anywhere other than incredibly marked up bottles online. I've been checking my big box liquor stores around. my local total wine had "coming in March 2022" then during March it said "coming in April 2022." Now it just says out of stock. I've given up looking for a bottle.
It's still around in my market, although stocks are thinning out quite a bit. I think this year's release was especially popular.
love ur humour! Thanks for the review!
Do u always try the whiskey with a little of water when its CS or u try it at first natural without water?
also will there be other lists like ur favourit top 10 Huglnad or speyside scotchs?
thanks again and keep up the good work!
P.S can u make a video about Diageo and tell us more why u ''love'' so mutch this compagnie? lol
Hah thanks Andrei!
I always try every whisky that's 46% or higher first without, then with water and adjust from there. However I tend to use less water than most other reviewers.
I don't have that specific list on the list of upcoming videos, but I'll be doing lists every two weeks or so just to keep things lively!
A Diageo bashing vid would be deserved, but I'm not sure I want to go that outright negative or angry. Maybe someday?
@@Gwhisky thanks for the response! About Diageo...I am kinda new to whiskey (only been into it for less then 2 years) and not sure why a lot of ppl dont like this compagnie. I hear bits and pieces her and there but I cant forme a goiod picture for myself. Tjhanks agaiN!
@@andreipuscarenco532 It's because the vast majority of their products are coloured and chill filtered. There are also a lot of recent price hikes on their non-craft-presented products. They own a lot of different brands and they're often accused of compromising the quality of their whiskies in the pursuit of bottom-line profits.
pleased to see this as I really love the 8 (for £38 Clubcard deal in Tesco... might be a different story otherwise ... despite the simplicity/youth just lovely to be able to have a real sense of how nice the base spirit is) so always very very tempted by these but I always balked at the price for this despite some FoMO... (and I see no reason from diverging from Laphropaig CS)
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
@@Gwhisky yeah, makes the FoMO much better thanks 😅
Amen brother. Extorting us for a craft presentation is going to catch up with Diageo eventually. Hard to justify paying 2x or more for this over Ardbeg Coryvrecken, which is craft presented at high proof and always available. Feels like we should reward Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, etc for consistency of craft presentation. Could you imagine what they would charge for a craft presented Lag 16 or Talisker 18?
Yeah a refill 12 is bad enough. I didn't even bother checking out the price of their 26 year old release this year. There's no way it's anywhere even close to reasonable. We definitely should spend on the craft stuff instead!
@@Gwhisky only a cool $2,100 USD. What a steal!
@@hanqb10 Ooph!
Great review! I was gifted the 2017 bottling and it is quite good……but I wouldn’t fork over 200$ for it?
Yeah they're usually pretty good whiskies! Shame the price is over the top...
Hahaha amazing 3.31! Loving the real and the raw!
Heh thanks Andrew! 🥃
Great point on marketing and the cost. Had a quick look at uk retailers and glad to say that it has not sold out. I for one don’t have the budget for these kind of whiskies.
Money much better spent elsewhere imo...
I've been staring at this Lagavulin 12, 2021 in my local supermarket for a few months (collecting dust, if you can believe it) at the best price near me, $142.99 US. Everywhere else, it's being sold for $200 or more in the San Francisco bay area. I ended up meeting a big Lag fan during my first sample swap and tipped him off to the bottle. I just couldn't justify the price.
And now, the 8 is going for $60, and the 16 has cleared $110 near me. I bought the 8 and 16 for $50 and $73 respectively a little bit ago, both being my first bottles of each.
Guess I'll never buy another bottle of Lagavulin again...
Agree. Laga prices are getting out of hand. A lot of hype over this bottle, and it's good, but I didn't feel I got my money's worth. The 16 recently shot up in price here, too, so I doubt I'll be buying it much down the line. The 8 is still one I'd consider, although I'm not being asked to pay $73 for it. Yet. Cheers.
Nice saying!! Only had tried 2020 edition, and yeah it's punchy and decent, but not out of expectation. With that price, as you say, it better shows more, or I just paying a lot on art and word"Special Releases".
Yeah. It's getting more and more expensive. It's delicious, but it's not nearly “epic” enough to justify the price! Cheers Allan! 🥃
So so popular but so so expensive nowadays. In my area the cheapest is $160 before tax. Before these used to be so much cheaper. I do enjoy Lagavulin but 12 year CS for $160+. Idk now. Anyway thanks for the super balanced review. I think with how Diageo bestows upon us these CS whiskys albeit at a super high price I think that is why I enjoy the Independent bottlings from the distilleries that are part of the Diageo stable.
Yeah we're definitely getting better value with IBs, although good luck finding a Laga IB!
You are right on point regarding prices Geoff. Distillers need to be transparent to justify these highly inflated prices. Well over $200 for a 12 year old and you can't even find or buy it at that price. Inflation is one thing but these prices are unjustifiable and I am hoping they become unsustainable some time in future....hopefully.
Agree. Too many collectors and not enough drinkers. Cheers Rohit.
Nice one Geoff. Give me a Ledaig 10. And if rumours are to be believed most Diageo whiskies are going to be unaffordable.
Well now I'm depressed. 😂
Kidding. Plenty of other places to spend my hard-earned $$$!
An honest perspective. There are whiskies for drinking and there are whiskies for collecting. This one seems to be more for the collectors. Yes there are better value whiskies out there for the money,, but it's all relative, in years to come these bottles will probably be selling for multiple times the retail which is why the collector's who are buying these now can justify the cost and have no problem spending the extra cash. Look at Macallan 18 sherry as an example, the majority of people buying these bottles do not buy to drink, they buy to invest. Lagavulin and Diageo have found a market and people make their choice either way. It's the same with fine wine, luxury watches, classic cars etc. People don't want to put their money into banks any more, as money loses value and certain premium or luxury assets don't. Though the great thing about whisky is in 20 years time you can go to your stash and pull out that special bottle from 2021 that is now worth way more than you would be willing to pay for it and open it and appreciate it even more... Or sell it to buy a heap of great drinking whiskies. Cheers
I understand the collector scene, and I understand that many people approach whisky as an investment. That's fair enough, I have (very few) bottles put away that I'd be happy to either drink or sell down the line.
However this channel is by a drinker for drinkers, so I am sensitive to pricing, and I'll admit it frustrates me when I overpay for a whisky simply because of its collectibility.
American hotdogs?? I'm new to this hobby just surprised. Love your videos very informative great to watch...
Hah my tasting notes can be pretty random, I suppose. Welcome to the wonderful world of whisky, and thanks for watching, Michael! 🥃
Well done you. Call this bottle out. Too expensive like you say. I’d buy this in a heartbeat if it was £85-£90. £130 is silly money. I mean, I could buy two Springbank 12s for that or three Port Charlotte 10yo. I know what I’d rather have. Call me old fashioned, but I loved the old 12yo bottle and box design. Classy.
I’d love to see you review an MB Roland. Really stunning stuff coming out of south west Kentucky
Thanks Mendip! You're right. £85-ish would be OK for this, but £130 is just absurd. It's certainly NOT better than Springbank 12. No idea why they think these prices are acceptable. I've never heard of an MB Roland. Certainly not available in Taiwan, unfortunately. Cheers 🥃
@@Gwhisky MB Roland. Now you have. 👌🏻
I have always purchased and collected these Lag 12's but after the 2018 bottling the quantity has dropped and the price has gone up... agree with many of your thoughts.
I think a lot of people feel similarly. This review seems yo have stuck a nerve with quite a few people. Cheers! 🥃
I got a few cases of Laga12 CS in 2003 (batch 2 and 3) for 75$CAD (50 USD) left in the basement to sip. i stop buying Laga12 when they wen tup in price in 2008 and switched to Laph Quarter Cask for 65$CAD (40 USD) . . . at 200$+ CAD today 2021-2022 , blah ! pass ! go Ledaig 10 , more fusile.
Smart move! Bet they're delicious, too. Haven't had any from that far back, but the stuff coming out a decade ago was excellent! 🥃
Great review and tasting notes. I do love the salty lemon peat on this one but (and this is my unpopular opinion that I've expressed before and promise not to go on and on about 😉) that tar note with the fuminess isnt something I overly enjoy in a whisky this young and is why I enjoy Lagavulin more at an older age (but not 43 bloody %!).
Spot on regarding the price and the fact that you can get 21yo Scotch for this price. Or at least you can at the moment. This stuff is overpriced. Cheers!
I'll have to look out for that tar note. In fairness, it does seem like I enjoy this more than you. I think it's a lively pour. But it's when I think about some of the other better whiskies that I could have purchased for less, that's when this starts to taste worse. Cheers!
The 2017 version was the first Islay bottle that blew my socks off, but it cost $99. I saw the 2021 on the shelf in December for $150, so I passed on it despite loving the look of the bottle. It’s going for more just one month later. I’m not saying that I’ll never buy another bottle, but I won’t buy one every year like I do with the Laphroaig 10 cask strength.
Well said. Laphroaig 10 CS is a beacon of consistency compared to these releases! Cheers Leo!
Great review! Just subbed and love the content. Cheers! 🥃
Thanks! 🙏
I don't need my living room to look like a whisky warehouse. If I avoid ABV less then 45.8, and chillfiltered...and Diageo that leaves me with SpringBank, Arran, Bruichladdich, Glenallachie and Ledaig plus a few others. Quite a few actually.
I'm OK with that.
It makes shopping a bit easier when so much of the inventory is just not happening.
I just bought a bottle in Japan for ¥13,600 (94USD TAX Included)...l am just wondering so what do you think is the reasonable price for this one? $50, $60, or $70?
I think if you found this for under USD $100 it's a good deal. 🥃
@@Gwhisky Thanks man...feel better!^^
Would love one, can afford one but won't get one due to low value compared to other stuff on the market.
Yeah it's delicious but there’s much better bang for buck out there for sure.
Any chance of you getting a bottle of “Three Ships 12yo” from South Africa 🇿🇦? I have a bottle but not cracked it - would enjoy to see your take as I open it to compare 👍👍
It's not available in my market, unfortunately. I've heard good things about Three Ships, though! 🥃
Excellent review Geoff!!
It has been a while, and I am still catching up on your other videos for the last few months.
You said it all here. Good whisky. Yes. Would I buy it? No!
I mean I can get a Bunna 18, Talisker 18, Ledaig 18 for a lower price! I can get the Bunna Moine Bordeaux and Bunna 13 Manzanilla cask for 50$ less online. And those are probably the best whiskies I have had in the last 2 years. Where does the extra money go? To pay the marketing people come up with fables that would soon be made into a movie or a OTT show with a cult following. Whatever.
Wow! Great to have you back, Soumya! You've been missed around these parts! 🥃
Totally agree. When I think of all the better bottles I can get for less, I cringe thinking of how much coin I dropped on this. The price should be halved.
That Bunna Manzanilla has been on the radar for a while! I'm IN LOVE with my Moine Brandy Finish at the moment. Top 5 bottles I've had to be perfectly honest.
Anyway.. this Laga... what a gyp!
Cheers and Happy New Year! 🥂
@@Gwhisky Happy 2022! And may we all get inebriated in spirit with all the spirits we consume (nothing like a bad pun with whisky).
Me and some friends just had a Lagvulin night, this one was OK but I've rated it 5 out of 8. it wasn't nearly as good as the 2019 release that we've all rated 2nd (the 25 years old was the unanimous winner) so if someone wants to spend their money on a cask strength special release, i would recommend the 2019 in a heartbeat. so much richer and complex.
Going off of memory, my favourite to date has been the 2011. But yeah, I've had a few of these releases that I thought were better. Cheers.
I'll just go with a Laphroaig Cairdeas PX Sherry finished cask strength and either a Laphroaig 10 year cask strength or a Laphroaig 10 year Sherry Oak finish. Those two bottles will only be around $20-$30 more than the one Lagavulin 12.
If I could go back in time, that's how I'd spend the money myself. Cheers!
I can tell you where that extra hype-driven profit is going, and it's why I'm off Diageo. As I mentioned recently, I can get Ledaig 18 for $90, and Laphroaig 10 CS usually sells for under $100, and even Lagavulin 16, which should be more expensive to produce given its extra age, 1st fill casks, added E150A, and chill-filtration, so yeah, it's a rip off if you plan on drinking it; but like those GAME OF THRONES bottles, I suspect most of these will sit on a shelf in a man-cave somewhere ✌️
Ledaig 18 man... depresses me that this Laga cost me USD $40 more for a MUCH less interesting pour. 😑
@@Gwhisky Thanks for taking one for the team! 😉
Wow! Where do you find Ledaig 18 for $90. It’s like $150+ on a good day anywhere in the US I can find it. Laphroaig CS is money if you can get your hands on it.
@@troybornhorst9173 Best Buy Liqours in Brooklyn, NY. I'd provide a link, but TH-cam won't let me ✌️
@@MrChristopherMolloy thx!!
The 2011 edition was great and easy to get for 56 Euros. Sadly those days are long gone
I got into whisky far too late in life, and at the worst possible time with regards to pricing.
Apparently Lagavulin 16 was easy to find for around £46 a couple of years ago. It's now £80, and the price is slowly rising all the time...
$165 in my area. Are the prices in Taiwan similar? Should we consider $/ABV as a value metric?
No it's under that in Taiwan closer to $150. Personally I think $/abv is an oversimplification. Distillate quality, age, brand, profile, casks - too many other factors to consider in my opinion.
The 16-year Lagavulin distillers edition compared to this. Which is more "bang for the bucks"?
Distiller's edition isn't a 16 year old, it's younger I believe though officially an NAS.
I think it's more like 10 year old.
In my humble opinion, 2 very different offerings, it’s like comparing the 8 & 16, both great in their own right.
If you want high proof at value for $$$, stick to Port Charlotte 10, hard to beat.
@@clintondeabreu8565 Personally agree about Port Charlotte but would throw in Ledaig 10 as a great value peat bomb.
Yeah aside from being from the same distillery, those two expressions couldn't be more different. Depends on my mood - Beauty or the beast?
Thank you both. I fully get it. I have the 8 & 16-year and they are both very good but as you mentioned, different.
Agreed! It’s really good whisky but the price is getting to be a problem. I was buying these for $100 not long ago, now at $160-170 it’s not a good value any more. This may be the last year I purchase and I’ve been a regular buyer each year. I almost passed on this one but I was in Scotland at Lagavulin this year so I chose to buy a few of these.
Yeah there's no denying it's good but that's a lot of money, and it's getting more expensive every year. At some point too much is too much. Cheers!
Yeah, gotta disagree (a lot). It’s great whisky. Not really good, but to me great whisky. What beats it that is materially cheaper? Sitting here with the 2018 and I wish I had bought a case. The latest version, for me, is even better.
Fair enough. Matter of taste.
I've got a lot of whiskies that I consider to be both better and cheaper. Off the top of my head, I've got a Bunnahabhain CS Moine Brandy, a Laphroaig 16, a Ledaig 18, a Springbank 12 CS (bought before prices went nuts), an Oban 12 CS (from the same year), a Glenlivet 13 CS, and several others. I also love the 8 at almost 1/3 the price.
As for the 12 itself, I found this to be lesser than several of the other releases, my favourite being the 2011.
Of course it's all a matter of opinion. I'm glad you enjoy it. I do seem to be in the minority with this one.
Nice review.
Thanks! 🙏
pricing is also being impacted by carbon footprint mitigation. At least that's what some of the distilleries are probably looking at. It is also irritating to see the premiumization of whisky just by putting Aslan on the tin. I am trying to avoid high priced whiskies period which means forcing myself back to about $75 CAD for a bottle. That surprisingly still gives me access to some good value drams but I definitely have to be more selective and rely on reviews like yours to give me some direction....cheers and Happy New Year.
A self-imposed budget cap is always a smart idea. No need to overpay when we do have access to affordable bottles. Shame Canadian bottle prices are so high, though. Cheers and Happy New Year! 🥃🥂
Carbon footprint? Now that's some BS that's even bigger than Diageo. Carbon tax is going save the world cause Boone can afford to go anywhere or buy anything.
Please Daddy, might I have some 40% whisky??
Well said.
In my market this stuff is well over Au$200. I’ll leave it to those with more money than sense. Thanks for the tease.😉
Ouch! Nowhere near worth that much. What a gyp! Cheers! 🥃
Diagio tests pockets of her enthusiasts, also a tasting, worse whisky for higher price, but i see that this is not the end of fun yet, I got away game in 2018 ;), thx for review 👍
Hah you're smarter than me! Thanks for watching. Cheers. 🥃
@Gwhisky not smarter but rather appreciating your work,it save money for thosands of same like me ;) , so I waiting for more
Great video. I've left a number of highly critical comments about this expression for the past few years. If we cut to the chase it's not, by any means, a special release. The biggest problem, of course, is the price. I bought it for years when it was £80 and even then it made my eyes water a bit but I loved it so it was a go. The year it hit £110 I thought I've had enough of this shit. Pure exploitation by adding it to the Special Release range with all its marketing crap and jacking up the price. It's a 12 year whisky in refill casks so why the price apart from watering the slithering fingers of Diageo's Board and shareholders. To add insult to injury it jumped price again to £125 a bottle and folk even think it's not as good as it was.
It's very clear Diageo don't give a damn about traditional whisky drinkers. They just see opportunity and that's often in wealthy new markets. I actually find it rather repulsive that they think newly emerging markets are so desperate to jump on board the capitalist merry go round they'll pay anything to join the club. There are still suckers buying this but I urge people to stop. They are getting rich whilst taking the piss out of you.
Ivan Menezes, the CEO of Diageo, was recently on BBC 4's flagship news programme, Today, talking about how Diageo was making record profits despite the pandemic and global slowdown. He mentioned Johnnie Walker at every possible opportunity. Not once did he mention single malt. We're a containable sideshow to Diageo with an opportunity to be fleeced.
You're right about the production costs being low. No special casks to buy, matured in refill barrels, nothing difficult or elaborate about the process. Usually Taiwan is cheaper than other markets, but I paid about the equivalent of £125 here and it certainly wasn't worth it. I used to love this one myself. I paid far less, and you're right, it used to be better.
Thanks for sharing 👍
My pleasure, Allan. Thanks for watching! 🙏
To expensive in Canada over 200 dollars per bottle.
Damn. Yep, that's too much! 🥃
I think it's awesome that you called out their insipid marketing bullshit AND their pricing. That drivel you read on the can was pretty embarrassing. Are they marketing to little kids who think these dopey fake storylines about burning lions mean something? At a time where there is just so much reasonably-priced, high-quality peated Scotch out there (from Islay and other areas), Diageo should be called out. No way I'm going to support them. And fwiw, I hate the silly bottle art on these - it's one I'd hide if I had it. Thanks again - love your reviews.
Cheers Doug. The marketing feels like a Highland Park bottle from 8 years ago, not a premium release from a “respected brand.” Thanks for watching! 🥃
The bottle's artwork jumps off the shelf, but so does the $150 pricetag! 😱 Fortunately I'm off Diageo, so...
Hah yeah I didn't figure you'd be one to get sucked in by their nonsense. 🥃
Yeah geoff , the price hike is too much , couple of years ago laga 12 was £85 -£90 , then jumped to £110 in 2020 , now i its £128 , diageo are getting far too greegy
Agree. We have to draw the line somewhere. It's just not reasonable anymore. Cheers Brian! 🥃
Oh, Diageo.
How do you live with yourselves!
This years release is even more expensive unfortunately. Diageo's pricing is out of control.
Agree.
Nest time, can you please add english sub-title in your video? I know that "nefew" must be a joke and as cold as hell...but English is not my native and I cannot fully understand it, unless I see the words exactly.
Good whisky , good review ! Like )
Thanks! 🙏
My man Geoff telling it like it is..
It will never make it to Cambodia...I looked up the price around the world..
Pretty steep for a 12 year old. CS or not.
I can get a dusty liter of Lagavulin D.E. from about ten years ago for $135us.
I can get 700ml 16s for $71.50 us...no tax...
I guess I am glad I do not have to think about it.
I saw where the Redbreast 12 CS was discontinued.
I know where I can get one and still have $80us to buy some other kick ass bottle.
Thanks buddy...
I would prefer a plain Lagavulin bottle without the lion bs..
Cheers...I sure would like to have a taste...
The beauty of Cambodia...no new release pressure...ha ha..
Hah well sounds like you're doing just fine with your dusty shop finds down there! Cheers buddy! 🥃
@@Gwhisky Yes, the country being open inside the border is helping me get to more stores.
I will head over to the capitol in a few weeks.
Grab some discontinued gems and a few of his bargains...
A liter of Glenfarclas 12 for 35us...no tax...seems like a bargain...I want to blend some 105 into it...
@@jeffmill999 Hah mad scientist homemade experiments can produce some amazing results. Never tried the 12 with the 105, but it could work! Lemme know how it goes!
These whisky prices are getting out of hand 🤪🥴
Damn it my nephews are so relenting 🤣
Kavalan ex-bourbon oak 46%
I haven't got that one on the go, but I will be reviewing the Solist bourbon in February.
@@Gwhisky that must be wonderful. This one already is, being my favorite bourbon so far, even not being a real US bourbon.
Good stuff Geoff - this BS that Diageo dishes out with these stratosphere priced releases while continuing to gouge on so many of their distilleries. I’ve never bought a bottle of their special releases, as I’ve never bought a Macallan - up their bum - I’ve got a heap of other whisky just as good if not better, craft presented and great drams. It’s not to say I don’t have a Clynelish, Talisker, Lagavulin on the shelf, but I wouldn’t chase out a Diageo special bottling of them. My buying habits have slowed down with the price rising so I’m more picky now. This overpriced whisky wouldn’t make a top 50 currently, and even with the quality consideration. Cheers 🍻
Yeah. It's so Hyped, and it's delicious. But imo not epic. Solid cs offering and that's it. The price is just silly at this point...
Unrelenting nephews are the best! 😂😂😂
Just got my hands on Springbank 10 and Kilkerran 8 port cask for less than ONE of these. It’s probably delicious but I’ll pass. No chance it’s worth it. Totally agree with you.
Yeah it's just too much now. Cheers.
I like the old design, so-so on the last 2 release but loved this new one. But i cannot for the love of whisky to buy this new one for twice the price of the previous versions. The previous ones are $150 usd and this new one is $260 usd. As much as i love the design, its way too overpriced. For that price, id rather get Glendronach 21.
It's decent. Delicious, even. But I certainly don't feel the quality comes anywhere close to justifying the cost. Massive disconnect there...
It's honestly just basic economics - supply and demand. They charge what their target market is willing to spend, which is what the current price is set to. This has sold out in most stores, so the price point was at an acceptable level to the consumer. An enthusiast seeking value shouldn't buy this bottle. One who wants an unaltered Lagavulin drinking experience and is okay with the premium price should seek it out. Unfortunately, value seeking enthusiasts (I am one of them) is a tiny segment of the whisky market and Diageo is going after bigger fish, which from a business stand point, is understandable. Cheers!
That's all fair enough, but as someone who isn't investing and wants to drink the stuff, I'm still going to complain about it. 😉
@@Gwhisky lol fair enough - plenty of great alternatives at a lower price - indy bottlings of cask strength Caol Ila can usually hit some of those notes! 🥃
@thewhiskyinfluencer Caol Ila and Laga are substantially different in my book, and Laga IBs are basically unicorns at this point. 🥃
@@Gwhisky oh interesting - I haven’t had a ton of Caol ilas, but the one I finished recently, ex-bourbon 10 yo cask strength reminded me very much of a laga, and I’ve heard from others that the two share similar profiles 🤷🏼♂️
Port Charlotte PAC-01 and Cairdeas 2021 are way better priced and better. If Diageo didn't own Lagavulin can you imagine how much better it would be ? It's impossible to get indy bottled Lagavulin because we all know it would be better just like how Caol Ila indy bottles are better
I've got a bottle of PAC on the go right now. You're right, it's better! And the price is much fairer. Not a fan of Diageo and they're special releases anymore.
I've never bought any of Diageo's Special Releases and most probably never will. Whenever I see a bottle of booze priced like this I just can't help myself asking: where is the gloryhole? Because at 150+ euros it HAS TO HAVE ONE to go with the 12 yo spirit. The 2021 releases has yet to make it to Bulgaria and although alcohol is relatively cheaper over here I expect the price to be well north of 100 euros. I'll pass on general principle. To add insult to the injury Diageo not only charge absurd money for their Special Releases but their "core range" expressions are still poorly, or as per Roy from Aquavitae "cynically" presented. What are they trying to tell us? That they are able to come out with integrity presented spirit only at "special releases" price?
BTW, I seriously doubt Serge from Whiskyfun pays the full premium for all the whisky he tastes. I'm pretty confident that the vast majority of it comes in (free) samples so he may write whatever recommendations he sees fit but still I ain't paying those prices even if Diageo Special Releases turn out to be the last whisky left on Earth.
Cheers!
Yeah I realize Serge is working with samples. I respect him greatly, but awarding this “bang for your buck” whisky of 2021 does a disservice to the average consumer with budgets to consider. It's a 12 yr old refill cask whisky. Cask Strength? Yes. Delicious? Yes. Worth it? Nah. Cut that price in half then we can talk.
@@Gwhisky exactly, the standard 16 probably costs more to make yet is around half the cost of this. The port askaig 100 degree is similar to this at one quarter the cost in Alberta, Canada.
Yep, out of my price range. I’m sticking with the 8 yo going forward along with Talisker 10 is as far as my Diageo purchases are going until things change. I think they see the pricing bubble about to burst and are gouging as much profit as possible as the demand I think won’t be there in 2022/2023. Hold your noses it’s global economic recession time. We’re all going to need a few unrelenting nephews lol 😂
Lol that last bit got me! 😂😂😂
“Stick an animal on the label and sales go up by 15%…”
passively recommended😂
Heh pretty much. 😉
For this price, nope. There are better! Glenfarclas has a wonderful quality for their price and it is non chill filtered & natural color! :)
Lots of great alternatives with better value out there! 🥃
WAS A FAN UNTIL THEY LAUNCHED THE 2021 ....ITS TO PRICEY FOR ME ,TIME TO MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE..
not worth it for sure. good liquid-yes. very good for flipping
Lagavulin and Laphroaigs are the Macallans of peated whisky; undeniably good stuff but its the expensive gift the uninitiated always reaches for in the duty free. Far too overhyped and overpriced for the real whisky enthusiasts.
Well I'm not the biggest Laphroaig fan, but it isn't nearly as overpriced in my market as the Laga stuff. And aside from the 10, it's consistently presented at 48%, so I'm not sure they're comparable, but certainly there's room for improvement with both brands. Cheers, Alex, thanks for watching. 🥃
Band aids? Hahah first time i hear that on a tasting note.
Some relatives of my relent too much, others too little…. Todays youth, eh.
The marketing guff is excruciating - even if it is only a metaphor, it’s weak af…
Hah totally agree. Cheers Andy! 🥃
F*** DIAGEO
Bad review
Best review ever. No review has ever been better than this. Songs will be sung about this review.