Nose: Briny smoke with a medicinal/iodine edge. Seaweed, an oily vegetal and citrus note as of lemon peel. It's a joyously piquant nose that eventually opens in the glass with some sweet aromas to counterbalance the salty oiliness. Hmmm, salty and oily - yes, there's a touch of tequila about it. A little more tarry smoke as it opens and way in the background there is a whiff of cask. I don't get a lot of the fruity notes many other people notice, apart from the lemon peel. For me this is fundamentally a maritime nose, with a dash of menthol, that hits the face like spray from a blustery on-shore breeze. Adding a dash of water - oh OK - there's some soft fruit - apricot and peach, and even a subtle floral aroma. Very nice. Palate: Sharp sweet/bitter smoke on the attack, dry and becoming more astringent in the development. Salty and cereal, with bright herbal and spice notes - lemongrass, celery seed, cumin and coriander. A return of the citrus peel. Suddenly it turns sweet with hot ginger and syrup, then begins to fade just as quickly - a fast one-two punch followed by a retreat. Smoky all the way, but although it lingers the smoke does not develop a great deal - it's somewhat one-note and the first impression is what stays. The mouthfeel is dry and light. Adding a little water softens the palate dramatically and adds depth, but does not change the profile much. The herbal notes become more rounded and move to centre stage and a little licorice appears. Finish: Long, salty and sweet with a smoke that lingers. Mmmm, I like the intensity of the palate and finish neat, and with water it's just as enjoyable. The first sniff makes an impression of acrid smoke, particularly if nosed deeply, but it's really just a smoke-screen (ha! ha!) for a more subtle and pervasive tarry quality throughout. This definitely tastes as young as the advertised age but there is also an undeniable quality that tells you it could be a much more substantial dram with further maturation. As it is, however, it's as breezy and fresh as Lagavulin Bay itself and there's nary a sign of oak anywhere - totally spirit driven. Do let it sit for a while - as young as it is it needs to open a little and I'd recommend nosing and tasting neat first to get the full smack in the face, followed by a solid dash of water to soothe the subsequent experience. It's a most enjoyable, no-nonsense, youthful and vigorous malt of the smoky persuasion. It has just what you'd expect and hope for in an 8 year old from Lagavulin, and then some. "Very Good" : 86/100 (4 stars)