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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I too love the 16 yo, but I don't compare the 8 year old to it. This is a wonderful whisky with a real peaty character, peppery taste and sweetness. It is a bit harsher when drank neat but that is because it is 48% and I add some water to soften it. I wish the 16 y0 was realeased at 48%. Talisker should also take note and release a reasonably priced 8 yo.
Comparing a dram of each, I find little to recommend the 8yo over the 16yo. Nose on the 16 far superior. New make nose? Maybe too harsh, but not unreasonable. Color on 16yo is a rich amber; 8yo pale yellow. 8yo has a peppery finish unlike the long smooth finish of the 16yo. That said, the 16yo is among my favorites, barring only the 1997 and 1999 Distillers Editions.
Superb! Scored a bottle of this while visiting Colorado for Father's Day. This lovely edition approaches the cask strength 12 year old that I have previously enjoyed. In my humble opinion, this surpasses our beloved 16 year old. Cheers from Montana!
It's an eight-year-Statement of perfection!
So, a few days has gone and I am trying my third glass of the new Lagavulin 8, it tastes better and better and tonight itś warm weather so a few degrees warmer Whiskey and WOW... I need to write a few lines to say that my first impression below needs to be revised... I am not sure why I did not like it at first. Maybe I was not aligned with my palette... The Whiskey tastes suddenly marvellous. Round, a bit young and wild but with great peat, smokey and strong pepperish, fruity afternotes...and did I meantion the smokey taste... :-) For me this was a new experience but for sure I either had to high expectations the first taste or I was not in a good mood to make a proper evaluation. I will for sure buy a second bottle before they are out of stock!
