Lagavulin 200th anniversary edition released

The Islay single malt Scotch whisky distillery Lagavulin is marking its 200^th anniversary with the launch of a limited edition bottling of Lagavulin 8 Year Old in honour of Britain’s most famous Victorian whisky writer, Alfred Barnard. 

In the late 1880s, Alfred Barnard, the first ever whisky journalist and traveller, sampled an 8 Year Old Lagavulin during a visit to Islay, describing it as “exceptionally fine”.

Famous for its majestic nose of Hebridean peat smoke and complex flavours, Lagavulin 8 Year Old’s long, sweet and powerful finish encapsulates the passion, heritage and skills that lie behind its crafting. The launch of this special edition kick starts the distillery’s bi-centennial activities.

Peter Fairbrother, Diageo GTME global marketing director says: “single malts represent the fastest growing segment of the whisky category in travel retail, growing 12.5% in the last recorded year and now valued at US$800M. Diageo has the largest portfolio in this flourishing category and we are proud to own over 40% of the industry's inventory. With this breadth to our portfolio, we are delighted to be able to bring rare and special whiskies – such as this limited edition Lagavulin 8 Year Old – to travellers across the globe.”

Dr Nick Morgan, Diageo’s head of whisky outreach adds: “This is a special year for a much loved single malt Scotch whisky revered around the world as the definitive Islay whisky. We are thrilled to begin the celebrations for such an historic occasion with the launch of the first Lagavulin 8 Year Old for many years.”

The whisky will be available twice during the course of the year and carries an RRP of £41.40/ US$ 88.65/ €72.00.

7 July 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor