Home Tasting: Lagavulin 8 Year Old Official Limited Edition 200th Anniversary Bottling 48%

Once again, like other official bottlings, I believe this is a well-conceived release. Lagavulin LAGAVULIN 8yo OB 200th ANNIVERSARY EDITION 48% ・Aroma: Fresh lemon and faint apricot, clearly dried nuts like pistachio, a fresh green plant-like sensation, strong young barley notes, vanilla, mineral-y seafood like oysters, light iodine and intense smoke. ・Flavor: Slightly spicy but not harsh mouthfeel, slightly viscous and chewy texture, powdery citrus, syrup-like sweetness, some body, nuts, mineral-y umami reminiscent of oysters and young barley's freshness, strong saltiness, tightening light oak, slightly oily, powerful smoke. ・Aftertaste: Long briny finish with concentrated peat notes of barley and seafood umami. ・Dilution: Citrus and plant-like sensations intensify but surprisingly remain intact. ・Overall Evaluation: While youthful, the skillful dilution ensures no harshness remains, preserving Lagavulin's characteristic viscosity. A short-aged malt with a concentrated flavor profile, meticulously crafted for consistent enjoyment. The official bicentennial bottling from Lagavulin, this is the first released 8-year-old. Bottled at a high ABV of 48%. I had written about it multiple times after tasting at Yurakucho, and while the home evaluation is generally similar, it's still an exquisitely diluted Lagavulin. I believe the 48% dilution successfully extracts the house style that typically emerges through aging, masking youthfulness while retaining depth of flavor. A diverse range of elements from natural components and human adjustments, stemming from various processes, makes this a flavorful short-aged commemorative bottle that invites contemplation. While its youthfulness might not be immediately apparent, it's undeniably delicious, making the bottling by Diageo for this bicentennial occasion entirely convincing. #Lagavulin (LAGAVULIN)