Lagavulin 8 Year Old 200th Anniversary Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a bold and historic expression from one of Islay’s most celebrated distilleries — and a must-buy in more ways than one. The 8-year-old age statement draws its inspiration from whisky documentarian Alfred Barnard, who sampled an ‘exceptionally fine’ 8-year-old Lagavulin during his visit to the distillery in 1887, as recorded in his landmark work The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Matured exclusively in refill American oak casks and bottled at 48% ABV, this is a Lagavulin of precision, purity, and unmistakable Islay character — with very few expressions bottled under ten years of age in this market, this limited edition falls firmly in the “must buy” category.
Appearance
Pale gold with the luminous clarity of a whisky matured exclusively in refill American oak — no colour, no shortcuts, no compromise.
Aroma
Precision is the first word that springs to mind — bandages, cane juice, hay, and marzipan lead, then seaweed, oysters, and diesel oil, then ink, mezcal, grist, and wet wool. Plus one blueberry.
Palate
Much better chiselled, purer, better focused, and more distillate-driven than you might expect — very ashy, sooty, and smoky, with fresh walnuts and salted fresh walnuts adding a distinctive and deeply satisfying texture. Strength and body are perfect. It’s actually very dry, and all the better for it.
Finish
Long and austere, on much the same flavours, before drops of orange juice play it a little sexier in the aftertaste. Perhaps a little ginger tonic.
Reviews
“It’s really the words purity and precision that rule here — there’s no make-up, no Botox, no dye, and no silicone. Some pure, totally crystalline Lagavulinity (what?) that makes you want to take the next flight(s) to Islay and go kiss the Distillery Manager on both cheeks. Huge quality/age ratio. Happy 200th, Lagavulin!”
— Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com — 90 Points
