Lagavulin 8YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml Boxed

A pale white wine colour. Strong nose with smoke and medicinal peat. Pine needles and fresh wood. Earthy peat and strong pepper on the palate. Touch of lemon zest and crispy apples. Sweet smoke and iodine are the main notes in the finish.

This is a bold expression from Lagavulin in more ways than one; highlighting that there are very little, if any bottlings released or designated under ten years of age in this market. Fortuitously, this falls under the “must buy” category. This is a 200th Anniversary Limited Edition, matured exclusively in refill American oak casks. In an industry that has seen so many distilleries come and go since the late 1700’s, it is an amazing feat of endurance that a distillery such as Lagavulin has remained in operation for 200 years.

Lagavulin 8YO is proof that a whisky doesn’t have to be old or even over 10 years to reach and display quality.  It’ss a clean dram, and if there is an absence of oak or telling wood influence, it is more than made up for by the dense peatiness.  The famous Lagavulin dry smoke waits until the finish to really reveal itself, but – as you’d hope and expect – it delivers with style and finesse.   This is a wonderful whisky that you could happily sit on all night and not want for much more.