Tastes

So, let's get this out of the way: I like this better than Lagavulin 16. It's younger than it's cousin but has a way stronger front end, heavy in peat, brine, salt, and sweet oak and apple notes. While it may not be as complex or deep as the 16yo, this is a very different scotch that draws it's strength from the quality of the spirit itself rather than it's time in the cask. Mad props to Lagavulin for putting this out there with an age statement too. The closest scotches to this IMO are Ardbeg 10 and Laphroaig QC. All three are comparable in price and availability for me. Right now I prefer the Laga 8 out of the three though. I plan to always keep a bottle on hand at this point.

Whoa now this is great stuff. Its definitely heavy on the peat and smoke side but its well balanced by all the undertones imparted by the sherry casks. It adds an entire new layer to this Islay that isn't present in other standard bottlings. Besides the standard peat, smoke, and ash Ardbeg is known for, we have a whole host of fruitiness pointed by raisins, lemon, citrus and vegetal hints. This is amazing, through and through. Don't let anyone tell you the quality is decreasing, this is worth its asking price and then some.

Wow. This one caught me by surprise. an incredibly complex and well balanced dram. not as Smoky or in your face as ardbeg or Laphroaig but way more complex than their standard 10 year Bottles. this might very well be better than the others too. can't say enough good things about it

One of the better Islay whiskys I have tried. Easy to drink, lots of peat but less in your face than some of the younger varieties from Laphroaig.