On the nose, it appears much sharper than the 16. It also isn’t as dark. The 16 harbors more dark fruits and damp earthiness, but the 8 is fresh and floral. It is also slightly nuttier than the 16. The smoke in this 8 is more intense than the 16. The amount of smoke is relatively similar, but the smoke stands out slightly more in the 8 because the smoke isn’t as blended with the rest of the flavors like it is in the 16. On the palate, it does punch you more than the 16. This is partly due to the higher ABV (48% vs 43%). The other part is the age. It being half as old as the standard Lagavulin 16, this whisky hasn’t had that extra 8 years to round out and smoothen all its edges. It is still a Lagavulin and it is still an exceptional whisky. This is one you can call a “go to” because it has the body, richness, and complexity without being over the top special. While not as smooth and silky as the 16, it is still comparable to other whiskies in the price range which makes it a great option for someone who wants what Lagavulin has to offer at a lower price than the standard 16.