Description
Released to commemorate the 200th anniversary in 2016 of the founding of Lagavulin distillery by John Johnston in 1816, this eight-year-old is big and smoky, with sweet spice that becomes apparent with a drop of water. Inspired by the visit of Alfred Barnard to the distillery in the 1880s when he tried an ‘exceptionally fine’ eight-year-old from the distillery, this is a fitting tribute for the milestone.
Wine Enthusiast 90 points – TOP 100 SPIRITS OF 2017 – Look for a straw hue and unmistakably peaty, smoky scent. On the palate, fruity sweetness leads at first, quickly morphing into a billow of pungent peat smoke. Quite drying, and finishes fiery. Water tamps down the alcohol heat and brings more orchard fruit forward. Released in 2016 to honor Alfred Barnard, considered to be the first whiskey writer, as part of the 200th anniversary of Lagavulin..Kara Newman, December/2017