whisky review 584 - Lagavulin 8yo @ 48% (200th anniversary)

[@francisd2386]

Wow, seeing Ralfy huffing on detergent was something I didn't expect to see! :)

[@succuvamp_anna]

A minute and 25 seconds later and I have learned more about Weske than ever thought I would, subscribing!

[@colina1330]

This guy's whole vibe makes me think I'd be comfortable drinking scotch with him in that room all night and have a grand ol' time. I might be saying this because I'm currently under self-isolation recommendations (COVID-19 pandemic) and sipping some Lagavulin 8 while watching this video. It was between this and the 16 when I was shopping. This one was 80 Canadian dollars. The 16 was 144. So, ya know.

[@TNation98]

I almost bought the 16, but the $144 is a lot more haha

[@jordanjohnston3604]

Now 110 and 185 respectively at LCBO.....

[@colina1330]

@@jordanjohnston3604 the 8 is still worth it at that price, imo. Maybe not the 16.

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

I have had two Laphroaig bottles with loose fitting bottles. I have replaced them with spare ones. Always a good idea to keep old whisky corks

[@SondejJohn]

Smoke and more smoke and a little extra smoke.... that's damn Smokey!

[@TheMotherfer]

Ralfy. Not only are you a connoisseur, a fan of great whiskeys, but you are absolutely an expert. And this is coming from a Magnanimous Malt Mate from the states.

[@abcdefg4832]

shut up!! you're wasting comment space here

[@joshjosh320]

If you also enjoy a beer, Ralfy is right in suggesting pairing this with an IPA; I'm enjoying a dram of Lag 8 with a Bell's "Two Hearted Ale" as I type this. I also wanted to suggest a pairing of my own: Dark chocolate. I had a little square of a Lindt Chili Dark Chocolate bar with this whisky a few weeks ago, and it was HEAVEN.

[@Longenecker1776]

This is one of your best reviews ever…..The detail you give on the taste and smell…..Amazing !

[@TheSuperTrickey]

It doesn't matter, ignore them. You're living, more. They're existing, more". You're such a wise, fantastic character! I'm so glad i encountered your channel!

[@jesseregenauer630]

Not sure if it is the Scottish blood in me, but I've found your tasting notes to be EERILY spot on now with multiple reviews to my own. Even in the way the water opens up the flavors you describe corresponds with what I perceive. I so value your sharing of perceptions, opinions, knowledge, and imparting of quirky unique knowledge. Oh and I've always been known to be one that SMELLS EVERYTHING too.... Proud of that in an odd way.... SLAINTE! P.S. Glad they made this one part of their core range!!!!!

[@ilandruet9386]

Really loves the fact that the stated the age of the whisky, however young it is. Real class.

[@astcal]

I am sipping along with this video. Malt mark of 89 is a bit low for this elegant dram, for sure. I love Lagavulin 16 for years, it has been my #1 staple. But this 8 year old wins my heart over. For the price, it should be ralfy's Whisky of the Year :)

[@brianboru8858]

My bottle arrives tomorrow and can’t wait to try it. Lag 16 is my favourite Isla and I’ve also got the Lag 12 (2019 release) which ralfy said is the the best version he’s had in a decade and I can confirm it is a thing of beauty. Will be interesting to see how this 8 compares

[@justinafuchs2619]

„89 as a malt mark is a bit low“ - Sure .. what do you suggest as malt marks for better or really great whisky? 130/100? You’re funny.

[@Blyt03]

I enjoy so much how he speaks and describes what he taste and smell.

[@laronmaron98]

I started this video then was called away. When I came back, you were "nosing" the Jeye's Fluid. I thought, "Well, good ol' Ralfy's finally flipped the skillet". Glad to see it was only for comparison! Great review, as always.

[@nietzschesmustache9779]

This just came in my town. Its better than the 16. Natural color and the strength is perfect. Half the price of the 16 as well. The dramm im drinking right now went cloudy almost immediately. This is a great whiskey. Your malt mark is pretty spot on.

[@alyr9640]

I know I'm watching This much after the fact but....This is what i love about you ralfy.... the sentimentality and importance you put on nostalgia.... that scotch is an experience that remembers old memories while making new ones. As a person who gets an irresistible desire for a musty dim library on a rainy day i wholeheartedly agree....look beyond the end of the nose and really see/smell/ experience your surroundings. I'm new to whisky but can already see the connection and relationship. Keep it up! Enjoying every vlog. 😀

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . happy to help with the malt-moments !

[@kellyj5389]

Who is the bloody Englishman that gave a thumbs down? Send him to the gallows!

[@jamieh3772]

edrington staff

[@corcat87o]

just found out your brother is Clive, thats so cool! lol i also hope i can pick this up in the states! (after i watched the rest of the video) i hope they dont get rid of the 16yo i do enjoy it very much

[@Thewhiteranger6969]

I bought a bottle of this yesterday, and it's delicious, and from what I can tell it non chill filtered aswell. I still enjoy the Ardbeg 10, but this is different, and I'd never chose the Laphroaig 10 over either of the previously mentioned.

[@clintonmartin4864]

Your concise description of each sip sold me. I was hating on this as I felt it was way too smoky, you showed me the way of truth in finding more notes.

[@WhiskyWhistle]

Love the review and chat, Ralfy! In Canada, 16 goes for about 130 CDN. Looking at other new 15-16 year olds from major distilleries, 16 seems 20 dollars less expensive ( except for some Glens) so I also expect some price changes. It will be interesting to see what happens when demand wanes and distilleries have surplus stocks. Cheers, Mark

[@jadebishop3849]

Thanks for the cork tip , Ralfy! Hindsight's a wonderful thing ;) I shall be making a wee 'old cork collection' from now on!

[@Ex0rz]

Many people seem to rate this low only cause its 8yo and over 50£. I wonder if these people even bought it? Or just giving it the lowest possible rating cause its a very expensive 8yo... I saw this @ 60eur and the age statement did scare me a bit, but then I remember ralfys review about this and decided to buy it. Not disappointed! Not really your typical 8yo whisky. Probably aged in smaller barrels since its a limited edition.

[@maffyoot]

couldnt agree more and theres definitely some older stuff in there as well, dry rich smoke. love it

[@jadebishop3849]

Just got a wee free sample of this from MoM . . . lovely stuff :) Comparing it side by side with the 16. This is much peatier and smokier and less sweet, but the finish is short by comparison - which is to be expected, I suppose? Think I prefer the 8.

[@richardrichard394]

Ralphy, I enjoy every review you make. You are a phenomenon!

[@Vykk_Draygo]

Just picked up a bottle of this. I'm loving it so far. Not as phenolic as I was expecting, but also far more balanced than I expected. I love how the spices open up with water. And you're absolutely right! This would go excellently with a strong and bold IPA. Maybe something like Southern Star's Honesty of Reason.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . happy to help with the malt-moments !

[@ricardodacruz4406]

Hi Ralfy: I bought a bottle of Lagavulin 8 recently. My wife, who typically can't even stand the smell of most whiskey, absolutely loved this whiskey! Go figure. I found allot of white wine and Chardonnay notes and influence in this fabulous whiskey as well.I had a question, however, do you feel this whiskey, being a limited edition and commemorative dram, would make a good investment piece? I am thinking of buying a second bottle to put away for myself. Thank you for your time, advice and great videos.

[@SpotWorksLNC]

Smoke on smoke on smoke, love it. I am late to the game here and had their 16 year at a friends house last month and am in love. Have not had the 8 year yet but hope it’s good because it’s more in my price range and goes on sale at a discount here from time to time here. Great video, thanks!

[@havisfin4562]

I'd love to see & hear you compare this laga 8yo side by side with laphroiag QC. Now that would be something. And by the way: at least here in scandinavia the back label says "mit zuckerkolor". Even so that color is much lighter than e.g. 16yo, they still have used E150, damn them! When will they learn...

[@marcelvanwijk190]

Over here in Holland it costs around the price for the 16, equally. About 50 euros.

[@TheJohn8765]

+ralfystuff It's interesting. I've been watching your vids for a few years now, and enjoying quite a few drams along with you. Your interrogative-palate has been pretty useful to me. However, it's only since I've started brewing and distilling my own beers and vodka/white spirit that I've really "zeroed in" on many of your tasting notes. I don't always agree (of course), but I really appreciate your fairly balanced approach to leavening the subjective vs technical judgments. Of *course*, our palates are different (and will be experienced differently) , but a "phenolic" or "fusil" taste should usually be experienced by those individual palates in the same way, each time, when referenced to themselves (barring illness or injury, of course). Thank you for leading me to understanding the differences and appreciating the similarities. I salute you, my good sir.

[@JasonFisk]

I've been drinking whisky seriously now for about 10 weeks. I started with a Glenfiddich 18... But I have to say my current favourite is the Lagavulin 16 with the 8 a close second.

[@Kvs-vf9nt]

You discover Ardbeg in the meanwhile?👍

[@JasonFisk]

@@Kvs-vf9nt Yep, along with Cool Ila, Kilchoman, Bunnahabhain, Port Askaig, Bruichladdich (Port Charlotte, Octomore), Bowmore, Port Ellen, Laphrioag, Ledaig, Springbank (Longrow). Back then I was a landscaper, now I work in a whisky bar 👍

[@Kvs-vf9nt]

@@JasonFisk Glad to hear men! Also what's your favourite Islay scotch now that you drink regularly I mean.

[@jimkikken8070]

I usually add quite a bit of water to my whiskies, but I find that this one doesn’t take a lot of water, even at 48%. It is a new bottle though and not the ‘limited’ edition of a few years ago.

[@redletterl78]

Like it more than the 16 (which is lovely). Young but wonderfully balanced.

[@pugamusmaximus]

I REMEMBER HUFFING (SKLININ) IN HIGH SCHOOL!!! GO RALFY GO!!

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Thanks for the review Ralfy. Sad to say these days I am a scaredy cat, though I do posess a lovely now sold out! 660 ml bottle of, Magic Rock, Unhuman Cannonball triple IPA 11%, that would certainly work a treat with the Lagavulin.

[@cjfeng8]

I just tasted new Lagavulin 8 ( not 200th Anniversary one). It is very young not much peat as Ardbeg 10. Very sweet, but smoke is subtle. I wonder if mine is very different than 200th Anniversary one.

[@iamnived]

congratulations ralfy

[@NickVolk]

Wow Ralfy! What a coincidence! I always wash myself with only a carbolic soap!. In Russia it's called "coal-tar soup" and made of birch tar oil. It costs just a few pennies as yet (thank goodness for that))))

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . it's good soap, far better than perfumed chemical soaps.

[@NickVolk]

@@thewhiskybothy It goes without sayin' Ralf!)

[@premier1975]

This is about to be released at the local bottle shop here.......can't wait.

[@1sdrogers]

Lagavulin and Ardbeg, you can't wrong with either. 2 distilleries that have really held on to their integrity over the years. Just a lovely dram.

[@sector7g549]

44 bucks over here in Massachusetts and better than most 80 dollar bottles of glimmer. Good stuff.

[@asdfg3242]

wow now that you mention it you do look much thinner! good job! more years to enjoy some good spirits! hoora! P.S one recommendation/request i have for you +ralfystuff is a review of the incredible rum (yes rum) called Abuelo Centuria. Im getting a bottle from Panama myself very shortly and am very excited! it is( im sure you know) a solera 30yo rum with exquisite flavors and incredible history. Not only am i sure you would thoroughly enjoy it, but also im sure it would make for a fantastic video which i would love to see! Regardless keep up the good work! awesome stuff and very enjoyable to learn from you :)

[@1o1s1s1i1e]

Fascinating as always Ralfy! Best of luck to you. Tailwinds and dry salt at Bonneville!

[@TheMunster7]

Hey ralfy great review as always!. I was wondering if you had to pick between lagavulin 8 and ardbeg 10 which one would it be?

[@RebMordechaiReviews]

Regarding your question whether this 8 year old will replace the 16. in my opinion the answer is no. This is a completely different beast. The 16 is a combination of sherry and bourbon casks. It's highly crafted to give a smooth approachable albeit heavily peated Islay whisky. The 8 is young, frisky, all about new spirit, quality active ex-bourbpn casks to give a specialist raw and exciting experience. It is certainly not for the average consumer. So no, it certainly is not a mainstream product.

[@Malt454]

+Reb Mordechai Considering what they've done with Mortlach, I have no faith in Diageo at all with regards to Lagavulin.

[@alessandroschiavon1237]

Ahahaha... Mr Ralphy, you are the master! THANK YOU sooo much for undertaking such responsibility! I would help you, if I could...maybe one day I will... I guess I need to drink a million drams just to be half as good as you!

[@lKingRichardl]

I just picked up a bottle today and I must say Ralfy this is quite good stuff! That progressively sweeter flavour combined with the long lasting, lingering on the palate makes this single malt an exceptional pairing with a cigar...a lighter cigar mind you...but an exceptional pairing indeed! Cheers. Edit: what's the score for jeyes fluid???

[@jbennison5672]

What's the malt mark for Jeyes fluid then? Is it available in duty free in the 1L bottle?

[@thewhiskybothy]

+J Bennison . . . . smell-only 85/100

[@Implosionstechnologie]

Ralfy, are you going to review the Ardmore 12 Port finish released at the end of last year? It's my latest purchase and I'd love to hear your opinion about it! :)

[@brianboru8858]

Love this malt. For me, the most prominent note on the nose is boggy marshland!

[@schwarzblatt]

Just bought two bottles. $64US here and worth every penny! I've so far enjoyed it more than the 16. It's got more rude peat oompf. And it's a better value @ 48%abv than the $95 Laga 16.

[@papytwth]

Hey Ralfy! Do you think that this Lagavulin 8 is a decent investment whisky? If it's not good as an investment, do you think it's worth keeping just to drink 20 years down the road? Thank you!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . all Laga is an investment eventually.

[@geo5291]

Ralfy! I live next to a Key For grocery store. Aisle 2 smells like Laphroig dogs 15 years ago. Cleaning products as u can imagine. But it's somehow mostly mothballs, though I have yet to see any, bleach and peroxide. Sometimes I stroll through on an off day of drinking to get my smell on. Sometimes I take friends there before or after drinking peaty or fusile stuf, as a comparison. Love it!

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . it's an experience.

[@geo5291]

Sorry for all the spelling errors! Keyn food. LAPHROIG smelled like that 15 years ago.

[@Rallerboy888]

Ralfy, have you considered doing a group review of some cheap whisky? Whiskies that don't quite cut your 80-mark limit. The reviews merely for the sake of informing us.

[@peteacher52]

Childhood memories of Jeyes Fluid in the outhouse netty!

[@tropicana5685]

Hi Ralfy, I love your show. Could you tell me, if you had to pick only one, would you pick Lagavulin 8, 16 or DE? Thank you.

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . for me, the 8 !

[@tropicana5685]

I agree. I am very excited in that I found it here in New England for $33.95 USD. Thank you for your reply. And inspiring me to start some whisky products like your Winter Scotch, with your recipe and then one with our local dried cranberries.(I call this Autumn Scotch.) Also, I have a living bottle of Whisky as you prescribed us to all try in your whisky of the year 2016 segment. Cheers!

[@kenken-ss7jn]

Best peated dram ever tasted.

[@Ivo--]

I was wondering about that bottle with the big 3 on it since it was recently featured on bigclive's channel, a fellow islander if I'm not mistaken. edit: And I just found out he's your brother, haha.

[@kohlhoff09]

Hey Ralfy, when you come back to the USA, will you enjoy our bourbons? I would recommend Garrison Brother's, it is a independent distiller out of Texas.

[@alexk3088]

End of 2017 and L8 and L16 were both on the shelf at Binnys. I grabbed the 8 :-) for $55. L16 was $80. Some day I'll find it at Costco :-P

[@mattie5489]

lagavulin 8 is now available in BC, Canada at the BCLS, $95 CAD before taxes

[@cobblewright]

Thank you Ralfy.

[@t3dd3k]

realy looking forward to tasting this one! have been looking for it for over 2 weeks now but sadly enough I can't get it anywhere.

[@whiskydaddy8490]

good review ralfy. made my mouth water. Do you know if the distiller's edition lagavulin has been discontinued.

[@pavelbena8642]

Bottle from EU market says E150 added, but doesn't look like it. And Scotch mist visible but needs some time. Looks like non chill filtered after all.....nice

[@pavelbena8642]

Good stuff but...I tasted this side by side with a Smokehead 40%. To me the nose is almost identical and taste as well.....I think Smokehead might be young Lagavulin. But distillery bottling 8% stronger, 100% more expensive

[@michaelkavanagh5947]

The tightest Islay. Even off Bourbon cask. How it's this smooth at 48% no idea.

[@apugalypse_now]

So _that's_ why ralfy is so eccentric: he's been huffing this whole time!

[@easer777]

If You have more of those "Ralfy 3" whiskies, and if I can have a signed one, then I would love to buy one....!!!

[@genuz]

I picked up a few bottles of this whisky on offer and I noticed the label says it has caramel added even though it is almost colourless.

[@get953]

The cork in my tobermory cracked on Sat. I tried using one from a Macallan bottle. wrong size. So Tobermory is now in a hip flask

[@simonsherratt1484]

Keeping it in there too long can taint the whisky, depending on what the flask is made of

[@get953]

+Simon Sherratt it's in a GSI outdoors collapsible one. www.gsioutdoors.com/shop/beverages-partyware/flasks/highland-flask-9-fl-oz.html

[@sd3gunner]

Would you say this bottle is worth $45 American? Do you foresee this anniversary edition to become worth something someday collectable wise?

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . it's long-term collectable !

[@pauldavies7746]

Tesco are clearing their stock of this at my local. Just picked up a bottle for £27.00

[@thewhiskybothy]

. . . bargain.

[@FEWGEE1]

Wow, I'd have cleared the entire shelf at that price. I've never seen it for less than £45, and it's usually £55.

[@JasonDebly]

Its got caramel colouring (e150a) based on disclosure on labels of bottles in Germany. Also has chill filtration. Still good whisky. I don't get hung up on colour like Ralfy.

[@Longenecker1776]

I’m sorry but IMHO this is not chill filtered or colored, you can see the condensation on the glass…. Then again, it’s 2022 now.

[@JETJOOBOY]

OLD SCHOOL DESKS.. My favourite smell in mature drinks.. 30 year old port and bannahaben have it... Bubblegum and pencil shavings and rotting apples and old wood

[@VikingShaver]

Ralfy, so do you still rate the Laga 8 higher than the Laga 16 today ?

[@TheJohn8765]

A nice, fat IPA, or a proper German Riesling, or a classic Aussie Sav Blanc. Yum!

[@JustinKoenigSilica]

I'm here from your brother's youtube account shoutouts from him!

[@earthlyng_official4599]

This is the first scotch I’ve ever had and I thought it was pretty good

[@andypike1234]

I really expected at first that Jeyes Fluid was gonna end up in the dram :D

[@JETJOOBOY]

I thought you wouldn't buy Distillers Editions as they have no age statement....?

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

Oddly this one reminds me a bit of the ardbeg ten. At least the first bottle I had. The ten ive got now feels a little less everything. Anyway the 8 great. I prefer it to he 16, for it's freshness.

[@DysPlexiC115]

Clive brought me here. your content is keeping me here Subscribed

[@PartVIII]

I absolutely love the vivid description of the whiskey. Makes me feel like it's in my mouth

[@mistermalt3234]

Haha. I feel the same. Usually i drink my dram watching Ralfy. Gives me inspiration.

[@davidsanborn5622]

Great review! Thanks Ralfy

[@jeremytheoneofdestiny8691]

That prediction about the Laga16 being discontinued was incredibly wrong, haha

[@finnwalsh8663]

Hi, great vlog, thanks. What's the most peaty and smoky whiskey out there?

[@thewhiskybothy]

+Finn Walsh . . . probably this one !

[@thewhiskybothy]

+ralfystuff . . . apart from Laphroaig cask strength !

[@akzakirp]

+Finn Walsh look out for octomore

[@bldavis36]

From a smoke stand-point, how does this or Laphroaig CS compare to Big Peat Cask Strength Christmas Edition?

[@brechtvandersteene9268]

+Finn Walsh octomore 6.3 258ppm it tastes like ashtray and bonfire hahahahah :D

[@michaeljamieson3582]

The problem I have with the 8 is that it’s priced similarly to the 16 in my area.

[@pradeeprajkumar112]

I Love LAPHROIAGH -40 percent and LAGAVULIN-43 percent SAN DIEGO to AUSTRALIA and to SINGAPORE Airport....

[@welshnick85]

Hi Ralfy! Which would you recommend purchasing between the 8 year old and the 12 year old cask strength? Opinions from other viewers would also be greatly appreciated!

[@thewhiskybothy]

+Nick Frampton . . . check out Independent bottling reviews on whiskybase.

[@douglaspettit2456]

Three years later and we still have the 16.

[@garrafeiradodinis6765]

Ralfy , this have caramel e150...see in the box in German...😉😉😉

[@dilligaf24824]

Oh my... this is good stuff gentlemen! Subscribed.

[@professorharenmans]

Ralfy, how would you describe the word 'phenolic'? English isn't my native language and j can't find a proper translation or description anywhere. Thank you in advance and great review as always!

[@thewhiskybothy]

+toine vis . . . phenolic means savoury, smokey, peaty, fusile, intense, carbon e.t.c.

[@professorharenmans]

+ralfystuff thank you very much!

[@JETJOOBOY]

Is there a video of Bonneville high jinx?

[@chriswitham8736]

Judging by the vast amounts on the shelves of the distillery shop and in all the bars on Islay, I'd say that it's not that limited an addition - which is a good thing as things stand. I tasted this a few weeks back at the distillery and compared to the 16 YO and 2015 DE. My opinion - the DE is better, followed by the 16 YO and then the 8 YO- but the 8 YO was excellent. Are producers going to be braver with regard to younger age statements? With that in mind - any chance of a review of Benromach 5 YO?

[@chriswitham8736]

+Chris Witham Just to add regarding your comments on price - this 8 YO is already more expensive than the 16 YO.

[@chriswitham8736]

+Nikolai Dinev Come to think of it, I did. Intense.

[@jeff9347]

Did not expect the huffing of industrial chemicals

[@famcomp73]

i am new and if i try a whisky i dont like i grab my Lagavulin 16 to wash it away lol.

[@balisongnet]

Ralfy, I tasted this whisky not too long ago, see if you can identify with my findings: A subdued, shallow nose, but very flavourful, rich and clean in body and taste. Could this be due to the use of very active boubron casks, which might have a deodorizing + purifying effect? I had the same experience with a festival laphroaig bottling, a subdued nose (especially for a laprhoaig) but crisp in taste.

[@thewhiskybothy]

+balisongnet . . . adding a little water and using a nosing glass would help the smell experience. I found the nose far from subdued.