NEW AND OLD ISLAY SHOWDOWN: Lagavulin 8 vs Laphroaig 10 I cut my teeth on Lagavulin and Laphroaig decades ago. Since then, I’ve explored the myriad flavor profiles that Scotch whisky offers but have always come back to these two—my first loves. I was in the mood this evening to revisit these classic bottlings. But Laphroaig 10 is six years younger than Lagavulin 16; thus I thought a more appropriate comparison with Laph10 would be Lagavulin 8, which is a fairly new addition to the Lagavulin lineup, introduced in 2016 to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary. Lagavulin 8 Light straw color. Nose shows Cheerios, bread dough, saline, low-tide seaweed stones, light smoky peat, the briefest whiff of bacon fat, nectarine, and a little honey. Fruitiness even more forward on the palate with nectarine appearing for a second act, along with a smooth mouthfeel, and some heat (higher than normal 48% ABV). Long finish has characteristic Islay typicity with some iodine and the same light smoky peat from the front end. Good, but it feels like it’s reaching for the Lagavulin 16 that has been seared (or soaked) into my brain over the years. 3.5 on the Distiller scale. Laphroaig 10 Clear gold. Sweet smoky peat; not just iodine, but the whole medicine cabinet; Italian speck; some vanilla; some pomander; some dates; and some more. Smoother on the palate than the Lag8, with noticeably lighter heat (43% ABV); did I mention rum raisin ice cream? It’s all there. Long, long finish. As traditional as Laphroaig 10 is, it would benefit from more ABV when tasted next to the Lag8. A cerebral, introspective dram that cries out for the Mad Men days of dark suits, white shirts, cigar smoke, and a mahogany bar with a brass footrail at an old-school steakhouse (I’m thinking Sparks in NYC). 4.25 on the Distiller scale. The Lag8 complements the older Lagavulin 16 (and the Distiller’s Edition): it is more youthful and ostentatious than the Laph10, which shows more complexity and refinement in comparison. The Lag8 is not dissimilar to Oban Little Bay in terms of its in-your-face youthfulness in the brand’s lineup. New or old, Islay afficionados will find plenty to like with both. N.B. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.