Back in the 1880s, Alfred Barnard, author of The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom, enjoyed an eight-year-old Lagavulin he described as "exceptionally fine". As part of their 200th anniversary celebrations, the distillery therefore decided to recreate said eight-year-old! It's bottled at an exciting 48% ABV and was matured in refill European and American oak casks.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed photos just get in touch!
Salted popcorn, honey-roasted nuts, tarry ropes and light hints of freshly-chopped cedar. A touch of burnt sugar sweetness lingers.
Smokey peat appears first on the palate, followed by coriander seed, barley sugar, cumin powder, smoked kipper and marzipan.
Layers of apple crumble, toasted almond and ash. Another kick of cooking spices right at the end.
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It has all the Lagavulin quality, character, complexity and balance of the 16. Much bolder and peatier, without having the reek of newmake so common in NAS expressions. It doesn't open up as well as the 16 with water, strangely, but at 48ABV it drinks quite well neat. I really can't fault it. This is an excellent release from an excellent distillery and deserves a serious look. Don't understand all the negative reviews.
I take odds with all the negative reviews of this eight-year old beauty. Quit complaining about the price...it's a special limited release, so of course the price will higher than you might think it should be. Did I like the thought of paying the same for an 8yo as a 16yo? No, buy that's not the point. The whisky is what's important, and I think this is a very fine dram. Lagavulin 16yo is my go-to whisky, and I LOVE that the 8yo is completely different. Otherwise, what would be the point? It smells newer, fresher, more bold...kind of like new car smell compared to 10 year old car smell. It's young, yes, but bold and flavorful and has an array of flavors and nuances that I'd not expected to find in anything less than a 10yo. A friend of mine who's NOT a regular Scotch drinker tried some and thought it the best whisky he ever had. I an thoroughly enjoying my 8yo.
I wasn't going to open my bottle but I did DISAPPOINTED!!! Weak!!!
I thoroughly enjoy this bottle. Yes young, but well balanced and crisp. I am a regular 16 drinker and find this a fresh change. Much less sweet than 16. Like a torrontes to a port. I have opened and shared 2 bottles now and will very much look forward to when I may enjoy another. Very refreshing, love it.
You are wrong. Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Kilchoman (not all), Laproaig (not all) and Ledaig all use malt from Port Ellen.
