As our fable goes, hidden within his den on Islay bay, The King of Islay guarded a gem of precious worth. The resplendent stone glowed ruby red, glistening with lustre. Won through decades of fire and ferocity, it reflected an alluring warmth and smoldering intensity – the captivating nature at the very heart of Lagavulin.

A deep-hued and regal malt, its dark, wine-woody aromas are pungent with peaty smoke, curled around baked figs. In the smooth, oily start a sweetness gleams, then salt and pepper season a savoury, smoke-wreathed intensity. These rich first fill Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso seasoned casks look back on vivid youth through the wise, battle-hardened prism of age, finishing long, sweet and sumptuous. At long last, a jewel is ready to share.