Lagavulin 8 year old Single Malt Scotch

Pairs with: Fresh oysters on the half shell, smoked salmon blinis, heavy-char barbecued brisket, or intense blue cheese

Good for: Sitting fireside during a howling coastal storm, or acting as the ultimate, sophisticated punctuation to a raw seafood feast

Cocktails: Penicillin, Smoky Cumnock, or enjoyed strictly neat with a drop of distilled water

I am from: Islay, Scotland

The Story: Originally released in 2016 to commemorate the distillery’s 200th anniversary, this fiercely independent single malt was inspired by legendary 1880s whisky writer Alfred Barnard, who sampled an 8-year-old Lagavulin during his travels and declared it "exceptionally fine." The windswept Isle of Islay is legendary because it holds the spirit's most prestigious maritime heritage, thanks to its unique, ancient peat bogs heavily infused with salt and decaying seaweed. Brisk Atlantic gales and crashing ocean surf constantly blanket the seaside dunnage warehouses, locking in a vibrant, untamed freshness while the rugged Islay terrain infuses the slow-distilled spirit with an unforgettable mountain-meets-ocean character.

Why You'll Love Me: It balances a remarkably bright, malty sweetness with an incredibly seductive, roaring campfire edge. Matured exclusively in refill American oak casks to let the raw distillery character sing, it bursts from the glass with lively aromas of clean woodsmoke, maritime brine, fresh lemon zest, and a hint of medicinal iodine. On the palate, it delivers a beautiful, oily medium body that is instantly cut by a laser-beam core of explosive peat smoke and cracked black pepper. It gracefully sweeps into a long, complex finish defined by a mouthwatering saline minerality, a touch of toasted honeyed cereal, and a signature hint of warming, ash-coated sweetness.