Lagavulin 8 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Lagavulin 8 Year Old Scotch Whisky is a 48% ABV (96 proof), 750mL single malt from the Lagavulin distillery on the Isle of Islay, Scotland — first released in 2016 to mark the distillery's 200th anniversary, and available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 48% (96 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 8 years
- Region: Islay, Scotland
- Maturation: Refill American oak hogsheads
- Distillery: Lagavulin, founded 1816 by John Johnston
- Presentation: Non-chill filtered, natural colour
The Bicentenary Dram That Earned a Permanent Place
Released in 2016 to celebrate 200 years of the Lagavulin distillery, founded by John Johnston in 1816, the 8 Year Old was meant to be a one-time tribute. It took its inspiration from a visit by whisky writer Alfred Barnard in the 1880s, when he tasted an "exceptionally fine" eight-year-old at the distillery — and the bottle was an immediate success, so popular that Lagavulin made it a permanent part of the range. Matured primarily in refill American oak hogsheads so the spirit's peat, fruit, and maritime character take centre stage, it is bottled at a robust 48% ABV, non-chill filtered, with natural colour — a younger, livelier, more vibrant expression than the iconic 16 Year Old. Browse other whisky standouts on the Lagavulin collection page or explore the full spirits selection.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Immediately soft and fresh — milk chocolate and lemon, then fragrant tea-scented smoke, maritime aromas, and subtle cereal, with the trademark Lagavulin dryness emerging like fresh newsprint. Palate: A soothing light texture with a magnificently full-on Lagavulin taste — sweet, smoky and warming, with growing smoky pungency, charred mint, dark chocolate, salty oven-charred character, and smoke. Finish: Lovely, clean, very long and smoky — minted smoke around chocolate tannins, drying late.
How to Enjoy
Savour neat to meet the youthful peat character head-on, or add a drop of water — it softens the spirit and sharpens the smokiness into focus. A single cube of ice also works beautifully. Pairs with smoked meats, rich cheeses, and dark chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Lagavulin 8 Year Old created? It was released in 2016 for Lagavulin's 200th anniversary, inspired by Alfred Barnard's 1886 visit tasting notes describing an eight-year-old of exactly this character.
How does the 8 Year Old compare to Lagavulin 16? The 8 Year Old is brighter, fresher, and more coastal, bottled at a higher 48% ABV — where the 16 Year Old delivers deeper, richer peat and dried fruit, the 8 Year Old is lively and invigorating.
Is Lagavulin 8 Year Old peated? Yes — Lagavulin dries its malted barley over peat fires longer than usual, giving the whisky its signature smoky, briny Islay character.
For peat lovers who want Lagavulin's raw energy at its boldest, order this bicentenary bottle online from Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA — and see how it stacks up in our whisky collection.