Lagavulin leads 'The Twelve' by Casks of Distinction

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Lagavulin leads 'The Twelve' by Casks of Distinction

Last month, a dozen exceptional whiskies were unveiled in Deeside at Royal Lochnagar Distillery...

Words by: Gentleman's Journal

In the world of whisky, few endorsements come quite as grand as a royal visit. So, in 1848, when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert called in on John Begg’s distillery, founded three years earlier, Royal Lochnagar Distillery earned its most distinguished title. And the illustrious guests just keep on coming. Last month, the distillery welcomed an equally illustrious crowd: some of the world’s most discerning whisky collectors, who travelled from across the globe to Deeside for the unveiling of 'The Twelve' by Casks of Distinction.

Since launching in 2023, 'The Twelve' by Casks of Distinction has travelled from London to New York and Singapore. Now, it’s back where it feels most at home: in Scotland. The wider Casks of Distinction programme has been running since 2017, but this latest gathering offered something rather special — the chance for collectors to come to the source, discover where these rare whiskies have been resting, and, best of all, taste them straight from the cask.

And what casks. Among this delectable dozen, you'll find offerings that span distilleries from Clynelish to Cragganmore, Linkwood to Glen Ord. There’s a Talisker distilled in 1978 and matured for almost five decades in refill American oak, a 42-year-old Caol Ila aged in a refill European oak butt, and a Blair Athol — three decades young — its character richly shaped by years in an ex-sherry hogshead.

Selecting the collection involves more than 4,200 hours of tasting and assessment each year by Diageo’s master whisky-makers. That's why, for Tod Bradbury, Private Client Director at Justerini & Brooks, the annual 'The Twelve' by Casks of Distinction gathering is “more than a showcase”.

“It’s a decisive gathering in the annual whisky calendar, that sees devoted collectors from around the world coming together to exchange knowledge and celebrate their shared passion for exceptional Scotch whisky,” he says. “This year's presentation really captured that spirit, as returning owners brought bottles from their own Casks of Distinction to share with fellow collectors.”

The centrepiece of this year’s 'The Twelve' by Casks of Distinction collection was a 1991 Lagavulin, Cask #1069, the oldest cask from the distillery ever offered through the programme. Unveiled as the ‘Twelfth Cask’ — the single whisky chosen from the collection to represent the pinnacle of whisky-making artistry — it has spent 35 years ageing gracefully and gloriously.

“It’s a decisive gathering in the annual whisky calendar…”

It was also the product of a bold experiment. Filled into refill European and American oak casks in late 1991, the Lagavulin 1991 Cask #1069 was transferred in 2007 to a Pedro Ximénez-seasoned American oak hogshead, where it was left to mature and tenderly tended by watchful whisky-makers.

The fruits of that patience are splendidly rich. Lagavulin 1991 Cask #1069 retains the distillery’s unmistakable maritime calling card — wisps of briny smoke and powerful peat — but ventures well beyond it, revealing layers of dried hedgerow fruits, aromatic liquorice and charred oak. Think classic Islay, with a touch of southern Spanish sweetness.

“It’s certainly one of the most special Lagavulin casks I have ever experienced,” says Stuart Morrison, Lagavulin’s master blender. “After more than 35 years, it still has remarkable vitality. The PX maturation has added incredible depth without ever overshadowing the distillery's character. It's a whisky that reflects decades of patience, careful stewardship and the confidence to let time do what it does best.”

And its story is not yet complete. With guidance from the brand’s whisky-makers, the eventual owner of Lagavulin 1991 Cask #1069 can choose to mature it for up to five additional years at Royal Lochnagar Distillery, producing an even richer 40-year-old expression. Of course, you don’t have to venture north of the border to discover the collection. You need only visit Justerini & Brooks’ historic home at 61 St James’s Street, where you can explore the whiskies, their histories and the possibilities each presents.

That, ultimately, is the appeal of ‘The Twelve’ by Casks of Distinction: not simply to own a rare whisky, but to help shape its future. From further maturation and personalised bottlings to time spent at the distillery itself, the collection offers a rare opportunity to become part of whisky-making history — and, of course, to enjoy the royal treatment yourself.