Laphroaig 2018/2026 Samhain Series Lady of the Glen 7 yr Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky 58,6%

A tiny black elf trails a knight through a battle on Islay. He offered his help, got laughed at, and went over to the other side instead. The story is printed on the label, and in the bottle sits seven-year-old Laphroaig, peated and powerful, exactly as it left the cask.

Expert's Description

Laphroaig 7 year The Eighth Part Measure of a Carle is an Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured in a refill barrel and bottled at cask strength, 58.6%.

It belongs to the Samhain Series from Lady of the Glen, a run of Single Cask releases where every whisky carries a Scottish myth or legend on its label. The bottler is Hannah Whisky Merchants of Fife, founded in 2012 by Gregor Hannah. The title is the elf's nickname in the story: a very small, brownie-like creature known as the Eighth Part Measure of a Carle.

The spirit comes from Laphroaig, where peated malt and double distillation deliver the smoke, seaweed and medicinal edge the distillery is known for. It went into cask no. 66 on 29 November 2018 and was bottled on 29 July 2026, seven years and eight months later. A refill barrel has held whisky before, so it adds less vanilla and wood sweetness than a 1st fill cask and leaves the spirit in charge.

Only 137 bottles were filled from the cask. The whisky was bottled without dilution.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Tar and creosote first. Vanilla, coconut and green apple follow from the cask.

Palate

Ripe peach, blackcurrant and candied lemon sit on top. Underneath runs Laphroaig's own smoke, in the form of salted liquorice.

Finish

Long and dry. Cloves, ginger and nutmeg, wrapped in something close to cigar leaf.

Specifications

Name: Laphroaig 7 year The Eighth Part Measure of a Carle
Distillery: Laphroaig
Bottler: Hannah Whisky Merchants
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 7 years
ABV: 58.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Single Cask, refill barrel no. 66
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Bottled: 29 July 2026
Number of bottles: 137
Edition: Samhain Series, The Eighth Part Measure of a Carle

Flavour Profile

Smoky · Tarry · Fruity · Spicy · Liquorice

Did You Know?

The labels in the Samhain Series are drawn by Edinburgh-based designer Steven Shand. The series is named after Samhain, the Celtic festival marking the turn from harvest to winter, and the forerunner of modern Halloween.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Laphroaig 7 year The Eighth Part Measure of a Carle

What makes this Laphroaig 7 year special?

It comes from a single refill barrel, no. 66, and only 137 bottles exist. Bottled at 58.6% after a little over seven years, it shows Laphroaig's young, unvarnished side: tar, smoke and fruit without much cask sweetness on top. The legend of the black elf on the label makes it easy to remember too.

Is Laphroaig 7 year The Eighth Part Measure of a Carle worth it?

Yes, if you want a rare Single Cask from Laphroaig. Only 137 bottles were filled, it is bottled at cask strength, and young Laphroaig from independent bottlers such as Lady of the Glen is no everyday find. It is for those who want to taste the spirit without decoration.

How smoky is it?

Clearly smoky, but not only that. Tar and creosote come first, and on the palate the smoke shows up as salted liquorice while peach, blackcurrant and candied lemon keep the fruit going. To compare with more from the island, browse our wide range of Islay Whisky.

Should you add water to Laphroaig 7 year?

Taste it neat first, then try a few drops of water. At 58.6%, water takes the edge off the alcohol and lets the fruit and spices out. We would skip the ice with a whisky this tarry and smoky.

Which glass suits it?

A tulip-shaped glass such as the Glencairn gathers the aroma and makes it easier to pick apart tar, fruit and spice. See our range of whisky glasses.

What food goes with Laphroaig 7 year?

Grilled lamb chops or an aged, smoked cheese. The smoke and salt meet the fat, and the dry finish of cloves and ginger clears the palate between bites.

What is the Samhain Series from Lady of the Glen?

A series of Single Cask whiskies from the independent bottler Hannah Whisky Merchants, where every bottle carries a Scottish myth on its label and all are bottled at cask strength. Laphroaig is one of seven releases in the series, which also includes a Bowmore, a Highland Park and a Glen Elgin.