There are many reviews on this so mine is rather redundant. More of a personal note then.

Had in a lineup that included: Laphroaig 10 CS (8), Cairdeas 2016, Kilchoman 10 yr first fill bourbon, 1983 Caol Ila 29 yr hoggie. There may have been another, but what was glaring in this lineup was the absence of wood influence on the Lagavulin. I never really understood the appeal before it was put in this context. I found it was closer in many ways to a very naked Dailuaine (108496), than the other Islanders. You get a sense of the wort, and new make. ‘Pristine’, ‘milimetric’, ‘like a blade’...just read Serge or Angus, they describe it perfectly. It’s completely transparent. I get it now.

https://www.whiskynotes.be/2017/lagavulin/lagavulin-12-years-2017/

Nose: sweet, deeply sooty, with lots of medicinal notes, coastal notes, shells on a beach, putty and earthy notes. As expected. Some gherkins, but there’s a gentler side too, something of butter pastry, almond cream and lemon oil. Sharp and powerful, but somehow very balanced.
Mouth: same intensity. Big peat with pepper and lemon. Smoked fish, leathery notes, ashes, wax and salted caramel. Medicinal and very coastal. Just a few fruity notes in the background. Big, big sooty notes.
Finish: very long, ashy, lemony. Perfect sharpness.Pretty much a benchmark for this medicinal, robust, hugely sooty style. I often had problems with its fierceness and dryness but for me this is slightly sweeter, more balanced and the most enjoyable batch I’ve had. Recommended. 

This powerful malt can handle a teaspoon of water to a nice dram, then it is even fruity, without losing substance, clarity or smoke.

Nose:
Smoke rises from the glass vigorously, it is slightly greasy. But above all strong maritime flavors, salty sea air, kelp on the beach, wet dew.
After the smoke has settled a bit and the malt has breathed a bit, malt and vanilla, freshly brewed Lapsang Souchong and a fine citrus note stand out, almost reminiscent of limoncello.

Mouth:
A nice smoky start, here more medically. Vanilla again, lots of barley malt. The alcohol is very nicely involved, barely a prickle, just a light pepperiness (Szechuan). With some time in the mouth, something limoncello comes through again, the smoke is greasier.

Finish:
Long, strong smoky and malty-sweet.

Simply a great filling that is fun and focused fires its flavors. For 12 years an above-average complexity.

90/100