Whisky review: Lagavulin 8 year old

By Martin Eber, August 11 2016
Whisky review: Lagavulin 8 year old

If you know whisky then you'll know Lagavulin – it's a go-to Islay single malt when the evening invites you to linger over a smooth shot of Lagavulin 16's trademark smokey peat.

Now Laga has a little brother, in the form of this 8 year old "200th Anniversary" edition sold in the travel retail channel for just under $100.

Right away, you're wondering how it compares against the much-loved Lagavulin 16?

At half the age of the ubiquitous Laga 16 there was a chance that the casks Lagavulin chose for this would be too young or too harsh – something that's happened with more than one other Islay producers' new releases in recent years.

Thankfully, that's not the case: Lagavulin 8 may only be half the age but it's full of flavour and character.

Here are my tasting notes to tell the story.

Lagavulin 8 year old

Colour: Light straw, very pale.

Nose: Bacon, chorizo, and a hint of asparagus. Definitely youthful without tasting being too 'young' and definitely not harsh. An enjoyable nose that makes you want to dive right in...

Palate: Right away, you know this is a Laga. There's plenty of fresh peat with a hint of iodine and sweet tropical notes (a little mango). Think 'sweet glazed BBQ ribs' and you're not far off where the Laga 8 lands, but mostly for me it was about the meaty peat of this smooth creamy mix.

Finish: Long and peaty – and a much sweeter, fresher peat smoke than the Lagavulin 16 year old.

Rating: 91/100. While not overly complex it's smooth, refined and delicious. A definite winner, and one worth seeking out for any fan of Islay – and a must for any fans of Lagavulin!

Details: 48% ABV, A$95

This article was originally published on TimeforWhisky. Visit TimeForWhisky.com on the Web and on Instagram.

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Martin Eber

Martin is the founding editor of TimeForWhisky.com, a leading blog for lovers of the dram with tasting notes, events, bar reports, new releases and more.

Zac
Zac

23 May 2014

Total posts 118

Great to have ocasional whisky reviews on AusBT - appreciated


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