New Release: Lagavulin 8 Year Old Official Bottling 200th Anniversary Edition

Well-crafted for its youth, it truly lives up to the bicentennial bottle reputation. Lagavulin LAGAVULIN 8yo OB 200th ANNIVERSARY EDITION 48% The aroma features fresh orange, strong apricot tea with a rich infusion, young leaves, nuts like pistachio, a youthful and robust maltiness, vanilla, briny notes with strong smoke and peat characteristics including iodine. On the palate, it lacks harsh stimulation with a viscous texture, apricot tea, slightly powdery and concentrated chewiness, nuts, smoked fish and shellfish, strong peat as in the aroma, fresh grains and seafood umami, rich sweetness, moderate oak, and a long peaty finish with maltiness. [Good/Very Good] This is Lagavulin's commemorative bottle for its 200th anniversary (bicentennial). With an 8-year maturation and 48% ABV, a significant quantity has been bottled. While it may eventually reach Japan, we were able to try this immediately after its overseas release. It sparked conversation at bars, and even the slightly different label compared to usual Lagavulin bottles elevates excitement. Initially, there was some concern when it was announced as an 8-year-old bicentennial bottling, but trusting Diageo's usual quality, we patiently awaited its release. This bottling certainly met our expectations. The aroma centers on grain notes with a youthful character, but the malty elements are not unpleasant, featuring Lagavulin's signature nuances like heated apricot and brininess, along with a diverse peat profile that is assertive yet not aggressive. The pronounced nuttiness reminiscent of pistachios was also notable. Upon tasting, the dilution seems effective, offering a surprisingly mild mouthfeel for an 8-year-old whisky, maintaining the viscous texture typical of Lagavulin's youthfulness. There is a concentrated depth that evokes chewiness, with strong grain and seafood umami alongside rich sweetness. Naturally peaty, it embodies classic Islay characteristics, particularly Lagavulin's essence. While not complex, it has a classic appeal. The cask influence is not overpowering, and the flavor balance is impressive for such a release. It feels like a softer, more approachable version of the 12-year-old cask strength, suggesting skillful use of original spirit selection and dilution to preserve Lagavulin's character while offering a reasonable price point with generous quantities. The bicentennial bottling isn't limited to this release; we've heard there will also be several 20+ year-old expressions. While those are likely to be significantly pricier, they're sure to be exceptional. I'd love the chance to try them if possible. Congratulations on your 200th anniversary!