Lagavulin 8 year old

NAS makes people nervous because they tend to assume that there is a substantial quantity of whisky in there which is young, younger than 8 years old,...2, 3, 4 or 5 years younger than 8 years old. I really don't see a downside for the brand's or consortium's interest in releasing an 8 yo malt. Those who fuss about age statements almost always would rather have an 8 year age statement than an NAS whisky. So, yes it is good for Diageo to release 8 yo Lagavulin malt, but I don't see it as being at all brave for them to do so. I think it is a very smart move for them which serves both them and their customers well.

What was really intelligent of Diageo with respect to the Lagavulin 8 yo was to refrain from watering it down to 40% or 43% ABV. 40% ABV Lagavulin 8 yo might well have fallen to the ground like a steaming turd.

Yes I agree Victor.

I think the 8 year old is aimed at Whisky anoraks like us. Higher ABV, didn't look like colour had been added to me (although it's a year since I had a bottle) probably minimal or no chill filtration. I doubt you'll see it in your local supermarket. And most importantly a good old fashioned Lagavulin peat monster now that the 16 seems tamer (apparently they reduced the ppm in the barley they use a few years back). One for the Lagavulin fans and a rival whisky to the Ardbeg 10.

I'm glad they've added it to the line up. I'll pick up another bottle at some point.

@Wierdo I am always laughing when I encounter the terms "anoraks" on Connosr as that word was quite common among French Canadians in the late 70's when it was trendy to wear anoraks. That is why this term doesn't have the same meaning for me. Even today, the famous K-Way is sold as an anorak here in Quebec.

I never heard or read "anorak" until I joined Connosr. I think that the term is far more common outside of the US.

Haha yes the word is quite common in the UK to describe someone who has such a keen interest into something that they know way more than the average person and can recite all the facts, figures statistics etc.

Unashamed whisky anorak here!

I first heard the term Anorak from Ralfy.

I like the Lag 8. It is my second favorite of the three. I would buy one if priced reasonably, to replace the one I almost have finished. Then it would allow me to save the spare I have as a "first edition", should my kids ever need to sell it once I am long gone...

@Nozinan The term Anorak has always meant “parka” to me. But maybe that’s because it’s what we call a parka in French.

I believe it stems from trainspotters who would wear anoraks whilst standing on a train platform hoping to spot a train and then jot down the number.

It's meant to be derisory but has actually kind of come into meaning something a little different. An unofficial expert or something like that.

@Wierdo - A bit like the term 'nerd'. Used to be a bit of an insult but has developed a certain kudos and 'hipster' vibe.

As for the Laga 8 - I have a bottle that will be opened over xmas but had a sample last year that I tried alongside the 16. Think I enjoyed the 8 more but both have their merits. It is a little pricey for an 8 year old, mind.

@RianC Octomore is also a bit pricey for a young Scotch but nobody seems to mind.

@Robert99 No, Octomore is A LOT pricy. Lag8 is only a bit pricy...

I looked into getting a bottle of Octmore and just thought 'forget that' when I saw the prices.

Got to be pretty much for collectors only at that price surely?

@Wierdo, get a taste of Octomore if you don't want to buy a bottle.

I could do. Although I'm not all that fussed. I'd heard a bit of a buzz about it and looked into it and just balked at the price.

It seems a bit gimmicky to me in all honesty and way overpriced.

I'm a bit disappointed with Bruichladdich. I brought a bottle of the laddie 10 when it first came out and thought it was a decent whisky. Then they seem to just decide pretty much overnight that they were collectable and tripled the price of all their whiskies.

@Wierdo I have tried 3 or 4 different octomores. All were exceptional. "Try before you buy" worked well here. I was in a store and marvelled out loud that they had them (I think this was 2012 or 2013, the year of 4.1) because they didn't in Toronto. A salesman asked me if I wanted to try it (I did, with and without a drop of water) with no expectation of a sale. Aside from things I've purchased for others, that was the most I ever paid for a bottle of whisky.

Of course, I saw it quite a bit cheaper the next year at another store in Calgary, and am kicking myself for not buying more ($120 was NOT a bad price for any Octomore, any time.....).

I won't buy it at the prices these days...but I acknowledge it is an extremely fine expression.