Lagavulin 8 Year

Exceptionally fine. Damn, it sure is. The liquid has a barely yellow tone that is more close to recent distilled malt than to aged whisky which leads me to the thought that the barrels used aren't charred nor new and provide only a small tone of wood. On top of that, the peaty smokiness is generous and revolves beautifully around the liquid. It gave me shivers on the first sip. It's brilliant. It's, indeed, exceptionally fine.

Not necessarily “better” than the 16 year. Certainly a different flavor profile, but that’s the extent of it. Still a fine whiskey worthy of the name Lagavulin.