Diageo-owned single malt Scotch whisky brand Lagavulin is marking 200 years of distilling with the launch of a special 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” and ‘held in high repute’, says Diageo.

 

Apparently he went on to declare Lagavulin to be “one of the most prominent” of the few Scotch Distillers that can turn our spirit for use as single [Malt] Whiskies.

 

The launch of this special limited edition bottling kicks off the start of the distillery’s bi-centennial activities that include bringing people to Islay and bringing Islay to as many people from around the globe as possible.

 

Peter Fairbrother, Diageo GTME Global Marketing Director said: “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 $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 added: “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.”

 

This specially developed whisky will be available twice during the course of the year and carries an RRSP of £41.40/ US$88.65/ €72.00.