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Laphroaig
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Laphroaig
distillery is located at Port Ellen on Islay
and it is believed that the Johnston family began farming at
this location in around 1800. They then supposedly founded a
distillery in 1815, but didn't get a license until some years
later.
Donald Johnston became sole owner after buying out his
brother in 1836, but died in 1847 when he fell into a vat of
whisky!
Laphroaig remained within the family until 1954 when Ian
Hunter died without heirs and left it to Bessie Williamson. |
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Bessie had joined Laphroaig for a three month summer job
thanks to her uncle Willie, accountant to Ian Hunter, Laphroaig
owner at that time and after proving invaluable she remained for
40 years, eventually owning the distillery as mentioned above.
Knowing that further investment to reach global markets was
required, Bessie sold Laphroaig to Long John International in
the early 1960's.
Allied Domecq acquired the distillery in 1990 and in 1994
Prince Charles visited the distillery and gave it his Royal
Warrant.
In
2005 Laphroaig was acquired by Fortune Brands, a division of
Beam spirits.
More great distillery info here, thanks to
Malt Madness |
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In
1994 Laphroaig started a programme called Friends of Laphroaig
which gives fans of their whisky the chance to 'own' one square
foot of Islay for which the distillery will pay rent of 1
miniature bottle of Laphroaig per year if the person or 'Friend'
turns up to collect it in person at the distillery. Soon after I
got to know Sabine in 1998 she applied to be a 'Friend' of her
favourite distillery. Sadly we weren't able to get back to Islay
very often, but here's a nice little story of one such trip:
In
2013 after many years since our previous visit we planned a
holiday on Islay. On our second day we visited Sabine's
favourite distillery where she was a "Friend" and wished to
collect her rent for her square foot of Islay. The distillery
personnel were a little stumped when they couldn't find her
membership details on the computer but they persevered and then
discovered she was a "friend" from before the computer days and
eventually found her in one of the original volumes shelved in
the visitor centre. Suddenly she was a celebrity as they
explained they don't often get "Friends" turning up who are in
those volumes. She enjoyed an hour or two of pampering and drams
in the distillery as shown in the above pictures where she
signed the book, sadly for the last time.
Sadly my wife
Sabine died in February 2016 so this distillery page is now
dedicated to her memory and for me February will always be known
as Laphrebruary. |
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Laphroaig
(OB) |
General whisky characteristics: Peat, iodine and The
Atlantic |
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Laphroaig,
10y, 40% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle;
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Rich
gold
Nose:
A
long walk on an Islay beach, carrying a lump of peat on a misty
morning, just after the tide receded,
Palate:
Massive peat, growing even richer on the palate over the first
few seconds. Also creamy seaweed and toasted wood smoke.
Overall Impression:
How
can anyone argue with the definitive Laphroaig, although is it
my imagination, or does the 10y expression of today have less
iodine on the palate than that of 10-20 years ago? In the mood
for peat? Then go for this one! |
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Laphroaig,
10y, 40% ABV
200y Anniversary
Packaging, 2015
Original cost of
this bottle;
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Rich
yellow gold
Nose:
Everything you might wish for from Laphroaig 10y;
Peatiness, Atlantic Saltiness and freshness, hints of fruitiness
with raspberry but in addition some lovely tropical fruitiness
reminding me of Mango.
Palate:
That
fruitiness is first to the palate with a massive burst of
raspberry and mango, but followed shortly afterwards by typical
Laphroaig peatiness.
Finish:
Long, very long.
Overall Impression:
Definitely a good Laphroaig, a very good one but
at the same a gentle one. Gentle Giant maybe? |
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Laphroaig,
10y, 43% ABV
1990's Presentation
Original cost of
this bottle
(now);
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Polished Oak / 21ct gold
Nose:
A
lovely
old school Laphroaig abounding suggestions of seaweed and embers
from bonfire logs all wrapped in a smoky mustiness.
Palate:
Intense fruity peatiness lacking the seaweed-iness of the nose
but otherwise again a good old school Laphroaig.
FInish: Very
long with an intense tingle to roof of palate.
Overall Impression:
Want an old school Laphroaig with that typical
smoky, Iodine and yet fruity character? Look no further. |
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Laphroaig,
10y, 43% ABV
An older version of
10y at 43% abv
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Short stemmed
(Bugatti style)
Colour: Bright
rich gold
Nose:
Really quite briny, almost salty fish with a
gentle hint of furniture polish. Quite musty too.
Palate:
Liquorice, furniture polish and vanilla.
Finish: Long
and really quite fruity.
Overall Impression:
This
is a good whisky, but a Laphroaig? The nose suggests Laphroaig,
but the palate is most unusual. If I tasted this blind and had
to guess the distillery I could be struggling. |
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Laphroaig,
16y, 43% ABV
Special for Duty
Free
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Yellow
gold
Nose:
First thoughts are of a slightly metallic
fruitiness and only very light peatiness or smokiness.
Palate:
Fruity
blancmange, can that really be? Yes, perhaps even hints of
custard or creme brulιe. After some minutes in the glass I start
to get more eartiness in the flavours, but not much.
Finish:
Long
but still quite un-Laphroaig-like with plenty of fruitiness but
only very mildly earthy.
Overall Impression:
Decent whisky, but would I guess Laphroaig if
tried blind? Almost certainly not. |
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Laphroaig,
16y, 43% ABV
2019 Edition,
although not dated
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Pale yellow gold
Nose:
Initially a musty metallic-ness. Yes, very musty.
Hints of vanilla? Sadly not much else.
Palate:
That's
better, I detect the mustiness with hints of vanilla from the
nose, but in a lovely warming way. After some minutes in the
glass a distinct fishiness develops with a mild smokiness.
Finish:
Medium to long and all very inoffensive.
Overall Impression:
Nice palate, shame about the nose. It's all very
pleasant and inoffensive but I can't help feeling a little
Laphroaig-iness is missing. |
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Laphroaig,
18y, 48% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Rich
oak, amber
Nose:
Glowing peat embers on an open fire with just a dash of papaya
and apple.
Palate:
Deliciously smooth, slightly fruity peat and light smoke with a
hint of fresh Atlantic breeze.
Finish:
Long, gentle peat, Atlantic sea-air and very slightly bitter at
the end.
Overall Impression:
A
very civilised and most enjoyable Laphroaig. |
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Laphroaig,
25y,
Black Label, 45.1% ABV
2014 Cask Strength
Edition
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Very
clear pale yellow
Nose:
Gentle
delicious peatiness with hints of musty root liquorice. It
remains light as it develops suggestions of fruitiness which are
akin to fresh green apple.
Palate:
Again
light and gentle on the palate with a smooth mouth-feel. It's
fruity in an applie pie and custard kind of way and then expands
across the palate to include hints of smoky bacon crisps or even
Black Forest ham.
Finish:
Long
with a lingering smokiness.
Overall Impression:
Civilised gentle giant. |
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Laphroaig,
30y, 43% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Rich
dark oak
Nose:
A surprising almost minty freshness hits the nose
followed by a fruity woodiness. Is that a suggestion of Brasso
too? There's lots happening here but not in a typical Laphroaig
way and so far there's no peatiness on offer.
Palate:
Exotic
fruitiness but really quite dry on the palate. There's a
woodiness too, then vanilla pods and a mild leafiness. This is
what I describe as an Autumnal whisky thanks to that leafiness
and woodiness as I think of the damp leafy country lanes of
rural England.
Finish: Very
long, almost never ending in a gentle Autumnal way.
Overall Impression:
I just love the leafy Autumnal character. |
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Laphroaig,
Vintage 1977, Bottled Spring 1995, 43% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Shiny
yellow gold
Nose:
A quite surprising and delightfully massive hit
of tropical fruitiness. This is mostly of mango in a really
quite musty way.
Palate:
Very
musty, mouth-coating and warming with just a hint of tropical
fruitiness but this time more of pineapple than mango.
FInish:
Very
long and fruity.
Overall Impression:
This
may never be recognised blind as a Laphroaig with its tropical
fruitiness, but it's most certainly a stunning and marvellous
whisky. |
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Laphroaig,
Vintage 1989, 23y, 48.9% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Pale
bronze
Nose:
Initially very warming but otherwise developing
slowly as it reluctantly gives up its secrets including
suggestions of slightly medicinal bonfire embers, raspberry,
something mildly metallic and then a musty, cold farmyard barn
or outhouse.
Palate:
What a
massive difference to the nose! Firstly with an exceptionally
smooth and velvety mouth-feel then secondly with what can only
be described as smoky peaches. This is so smooth and gentle.
FInish:
Long
but again quite gentle or even subdued.
Overall Impression:
This one is just so subdued and gentle. Awfully
civilised even. |
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Laphroaig,
Brodir,
13y, 50.5% ABV
Bottle No. 1521 of
2000
Special release for
Viking Line
Original cost of this bottle; not sure, but I expect
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Very
pale watery yellow gold
Nose:
This starts with lots of Atlantic-ness; salty,
coastal and even almost, but not quite fishy in a secluded
harbour kind of way. This initial burst offers no smokiness or
peatiness but these elements do slowly develop and are evident
after five minutes or so in the glass.
Palate:
Immediately earthy and gently peaty with plenty of tropical
fruitiness alongside. For the fruitiness I'm reminded of mango
and papaya then right at the end I get a suggestion of liquorice
root.
FInish:
Medium
to long with that suggestion of liquorice root right at the end.
Overall Impression:
Subdued, reserved and gentle. Is this really 50%
abv? How surprising. |
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Laphroaig,
Brodir,
Batch 001, 48% ABV
Original cost of this bottle;
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Rich dark oak
Nose:
First impression is one of smokiness, but more wood-smoke than
peat. Then comes a gentle hint of grassiness, perhaps dried like
hay and finally after a minute or two the Atlantic fresh
saltiness often detected in Laphroaig making me wonder if I'm
experiencing an Islay coastal farmyard.
Palate:
Now that's a
surprise, I'm suddenly transported to a small town in Ireland
called Kilfenora. Specifically to the local gift shop which is
the only place I know that sells "Irish peat and rainwater" soap.
It's the peatiness along with a strange soapiness that does this
to me. I adore that soap, but soapiness in a Laphroaig?
FInish:
Medium to long,
gentle and repeating.
Overall Impression:
Irish peat and rainwater soap? Really? Should I be using this as
a bath salt? |
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Laphroaig,
Brodir,
Batch 002, 48% ABV
Original cost of this bottle;
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Pale
amber
Nose:
Mildly smoky suggestion of red wine and its
fruitiness. Also quite earthy in a mulch-y way.
Palate:
More
suggestion of red wine on the palate but this is accompanied by
a more tropical fruitiness. There's also a hint of smokiness but
it's only a faint hint. There's also a quite solid mouth-feel.
FInish:
Long
Overall Impression:
Unusual, different but surprisingly nice, I like
it. |
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Cairdeas |
Feis Ile
bottlings |
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Laphroaig,
Cairdeas 2009, 12y, 57.5% ABV
Feis Ile 2009
bottling
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Pale
Yellow
Nose:
Sweet
aromatic light rubber, then gently smoked peat left out on an
Atlantic jetty to dry.
Palate:
Initially creamy
fruit (redcurrants and berries) but this soon dissipates to
leave a pile of peat sunbathing on a Sunny Atlantic beach.
With 3 drops of
water: An extra helping of smoky peat comes to the nose. The
palate is smoother, but loses the fruit and gains much more
peat-power.
With a further 3
drops of water: Peat, (wood) smoke and pure Atlantic air.
Finish: Long
and peaty, more so with water.
Overall Impression:
The initial nose was quite aromatic with a little rubber
alongside the normal Laphroaig traits, but the addition of water
soon turned this into a more traditional and very powerful
Laphroaig. This is a very good bottling, I love it!
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Laphroaig,
Cairdeas 2010, Masters Edition, 57.5% ABV
Feis Ile 2010
bottling
"A range of spirit
from 11 to 19 years old"
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Very
pale yellow
Nose:
Gentle
smoke, light peat, salt and hints of light leather.
Palate:
Subtle smoke and peat with the faintest suggestion of fruit.
With 3 drops of
water: Sligthly more pepper (tingle) but an introduction of
faint treacle toffee and popcorn alongside a sligthly stronger
peat influence.
With 3 more
drops of water: A slightly fresher nose but again more
pepper (tingle) on the palate with even more peat, popcorn and
treacle toffee.
Finish: Very
long, almost everlasting with more water, but with slight hints
of liquorice right at the end.
Overall Impression:
This is a rather different Laphroaig. It's sophisticated and
subtle but the addition of water removes some of the subtleness.
This is another extremely good Laphroaig and those subtle
overtones reflect the inclusion of some older vintages in the
recipe. Excellent!
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Laphroaig,
Cairdeas 2011, Ileach Edition, 50.5% ABV
Feis Ile 2011
bottling
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Pale
yellow
Nose:
Initially 'prickly' and smoky with peat smoke as opposed to wood
smoke. Also fruity with suggestions of apple and perhaps peach &
apricot. It's also quite fresh and very faintly fishy.
Palate:
Surprisingly smooth and creamy mouth-feel and exhibiting all the
smokiness, fishiness and fruitiness from the nose.
Finish:
Long and fruity.
Overall Impression:
Thoroughly enjoyable, in fact I love it.
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Laphroaig,
Cairdeas 2014, 51.4% ABV
Feis Ile 2014 bottling
First fill bourbon
casks & Amontillado hogshead(s)
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Yellow 9ct gold
Nose:
Malty with a mild
and woody fruitiness alongside typical Atlantic saltiness with
hints of Islay peat. This also has a freshness which isn't quite
minty, but aiming in that direction.
Palate:
Very fruity, peaty
and retaining that freshness from the nose. It's very intense.
Finish: Very
long,
in fact
almost everlasting.
Overall Impression:
Fruity and
intensely a-typical of Laphroaig. I really like it!
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Laphroaig,
Cairdeas 2015, 200th Anniversary bottling, 51.5% ABV
Feis Ile 2015 bottling
Distilled 2003,
bottled 2015
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Very
pale, almost like discoloured water
Nose:
Rather
fresh but hinting at some mildly metallic notes. Also slightly
grassy but remaining over-ridingly fresh.
Palate:
Very
intense (ABV?) but extremely rounded and balanced with that
freshness, grassiness and peatiness.
Finish:
Very long
and still intense.
Overall Impression:
Another a-typical Laphroaig with that freshness and grassiness,
but again I love it.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 57.8% ABV
Batch 001, bottled
Feb. 2009
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Rich,
glowing amber
Nose:
Initially
slightly toasted peat, opening quickly to include the smoke of
an open bonfire in the middle of a Scootish jetty in the
Atlantic.
Palate:
A rich Laphroaig
with lots of peat, little smoke and a faint medicinal touch.
With 3 drops of
water: Much more smoke on the nose. A creamy palate of
full-strength peat.
With 3 more
drops of water: Smoke and sea-air in abundance on the nose.
In-depth, slightly medicinal peat on the palate.
Overall Impression:
A wonderful Laphroaig which takes a little water to really open
to full effect.
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Amber
Nose: Uncompromising power with true
Islay peat and lots of it, but also plenty of that Laphroaig
maritime 'je ne sais quoi'
which personnifies the slightly dilapidated wood of an old Islay
jetty, soaked for many years in the salty Atlantic. I do like
a good Laphroaig nose and this is certainly one of them.
Palate: Quite smooth as the peat
encompasses the palate and just grows almost exponentially on
it.
With
4 drops of water: the nose sympathises even more with The
Atlantic whilst the palate lightens sligthly even to the point
of gaining a little fruit.
A
further 4 drops of water: bring some of that light fruit to
the nose and smoothens the palate much more too.
Finish:
Very long and very peaty with a little of that
fruit making an appearance too. In fact at this stage the fruit
is almost red apple.
Overall Impression: I'm not sure this is quite as good as
batch 001 in 2009, but it is good, very good and thank you very
much, I think I'll have another!
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 55.3% ABV
Batch 003, bottled
Jan. 2011
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich golden oak
Nose: Rich and deep earthy peat and (wood)
smoke with a hint of saltiness. There's also something quite
richly fruity in here which is along the lines of raisins,
sultanas or even plums, but this really sits alongside a quite
rubbery, smoky and 'Atlantic' character.
Palate: There's an initial earthiness accompanied by a
suggestion of cherries before a peat explosion caresses the
palate. I can only say warming, peaty, smoky & fruity.
With
4 drops of water: A fruitiness remains on the nose but it
has totally changed from earthy dark fruits to light and
slightly bitter ones with mainly green apple and pear but this
doesn't last long as the fruitiness is soon replaced by a
healthy dose of peat, smoke and fresh Atlantic sea air. As for
the palate it is dominated by wonderful Atlantic peat and smoke
with a hint of toasted raisins. Did you ever toast raisins? I
somehow think you should!
Finish:
Long, with wonderfully earthy peat.
Overall Impression: Transmoglifyingly good! Wonderful.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 58.3% ABV
Batch 004, bottled
Jan. 2012
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich coppery cork
Nose: An initial and intense burst of
salty sea air announces a massive maritime presence to the nose.
This very quickly develops a light rubberiness and earthy
peatiness which expands over 3-5 minutes in the glass. This also
has a mellow sweetness which, after a further 2-3 minutes
develops hints of light flora.
Palate: Surprisingly smooth and lacking alcohol burn for 58%
as everything promised by the nose gently arrives onto the
palate. Earthy, peaty, floral fruitiness ... very nice indeed.
With
4 drops of water: More intense maritime peatiness on the
nose whilst the palate remains delightfully smooth, even
if
slightly more intense too.
A
further 4 drops of water: Altogether lighter, fainter and
somehow too faded, the first 4 drops were excellent, these are
just a drop too far.
Finish:
Long, delightfully long.
Overall Impression: What a delight, I love this whisky
especially with the first 4 drops of water.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 57.2% ABV
Batch 005, bottled
Feb. 2013
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Delicate gold, perfect Laphroaig colour
Nose: A lovely blend of (wood) smoke,
earth and peatiness with a very gentle suggestion of fresh
fruitiness in the background. Again typical and classic
Laphroaig style.
Palate: Just everything from the nose delicately balanced
and enhanced with a light tingle thanks to the high abv.
With
3 drops of water:
The nose intensifies with even more smokiness and earthiness
whilst the palate loses the fruitiness as the smokiness expands.
Finish:
Wonderfully long and intense.
Overall Impression: I can only describe this as a great old
school Laphroaig. Did I say "Great", aye indeed!
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 58.0% ABV
Batch 006, bottled
Feb. 2014
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Pale Oak
Nose: I'm standing alongside The
Atlantic Ocean with fresh lightly salted sea aromas but having
said this, it's perhaps a slightly unusual or atypical Laphroaig
as it seems to lack some of typical smokiness. It also appears
to offer a slight freshness akin to a sweaty blue cheese. Lovely
but quite unusual.
Palate: After that quite unusual nose I have to say the
palate is absolutely 100% typical Laphroaig as I detect a
wonderful smokiness and earthiness with the requisite Atlantic
saltiness with just a touch of iodine.
Finish:
Long, very long but was that a
hint of liquorice right at the end?
Overall Impression: A truly amazing palate with a slightly
atypical nose makes for a most enjoyable dram.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 56.9% ABV
Batch 007, bottled
Jan. 2015
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich gold
Nose: Pink candy floss, yes quite
pink, but this very quickly fades to leave that signature
peatiness and a suggestion of dry mustiness alongside hints of
pears.
Palate: Definitely no candy floss here, just a lovely
Laphroaig offering rich smokiness, earthiness and a hint of
fruitiness, perhaps raspberry and all served in a quite meaty
way.
Finish:
Very long and smokily meaty.
Overall Impression: Nice, very nice.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 59.2% ABV
Batch 008, bottled
Mar. 2016
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich golden light oak.
Nose: This opens with a rich and quite
solid eartiness. Over some minutes a typical Laphroaig smokiness
develops which further progresses to include maritime elements
also typical of older-style Laphroaigs. By this I mean a mixture
of Atlantic iodine and saltiness. Just to complete things a few
minutes allows a light and gentle fruitiness into the mixture.
Palate: Rich, full-bodied and almost thick whilst having a
creamy smooth mouth-feel. It's fruity with hints of raspberry,
papaya and mango whilst having a peaty, smoky earthiness.
Finish:
Very long with that smoky
earthiness just refusing to fade.
Overall Impression: Excellent.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 58.1% ABV
Batch 009, bottled
Feb. 2017
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Lightly coloured oak
Nose: Immediately fruity followed
quickly by a gentle hint of fishiness, rather like sitting
alongside a fishing harbour. The fruitiness is that of
raspberries but also with a hint of something mildly bitter,
gooseberry maybe?
Palate: Definitely suggestions of creamy fruitiness and then,
by total surprise a fiercely intense tingle rather like a sweet
hot sauce launches itself across the palate.
With
4 drops of water: A mildly metallic, but not unpleasant
aroma is now present on the nose, whilst a lovely light
smokiness is present on the palate. Then more peatiness /
smokiness lasts long into the finish.
Finish:
Long and slightly bitter but much
more pleasant with peat and smoke when a few drops of water are
added.
Overall Impression: Even before the water is added when the
whisky seems to lack peatiness, if you served me this blind I
couldn't imagine thinking it to be anything other than Laphroaig.
Add a few drops of water for best results.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 58% ABV
Batch 10, bottled
Jan. 2018
Original cost of
this bottle;
Many thanks to
Boris for the sample and photo |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich dark oak
Nose: A very subtle start, this dram
certainly needs a few minutes to develop its light smokiness
with further hints of exotic fruitiness. I'm now detecting musty
aromas of passion fruit with something else .... star fruit
maybe?
Palate: An initial hit of smokiness on the palate is
followed quickly by intense fruitiness spreading across the
palate. Again the fruitiness is just as experienced on the nose
.... exotic, passion fruit, star fruit?
With
4 drops of water: The nose remains musty but now has plenty
of peaty smokiness too. As for the palate it too now has much
more peaty smokiness.
Finish:
Long without the drops of water
and extremely long with.
Overall Impression: Again this needs just a few drops of
water for the best experience. Very enjoyable indeed.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 58.6% ABV
Batch 11, bottled
Mar. 2019
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Amber with hints of copperiness
Nose: Fruitily Atlantic with a mild
peatiness and fishiness. The fruitiness is definitely tropical,
perhaps mango or papaya?
Palate: That fruity Atlantic fishiness comes through
strongly on the palate but this time the fruitiness is a little
more fresh or citrus. I'm thinking pineapple. The whole
experience is warming as it expands across the palate.
With
a few drops of water: The nose is now slightly subdued on
the fishiness but comprises more fruitiness. The palate also has
more of the fruitiness and a creamy mouth-feel.
Finish:
Medium to long with more of the
fishiness and fruitiness.
Overall Impression: A slightly unusual Laphroaig with the
pineapple-iness but still a lovely dram.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 60.1% ABV
Batch 12, bottled
Feb 2020
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich, dark gold.
Nose: Intense, well it is 60%abv. Lots
of wood smoke, old leather and even a very mild suggestion of
camphor. I somehow get the impression of a sauna running at full
heat.
Palate: Peppery and spicy with suggestions of sea-salted
chocolate and mild coffee, but at the same time it has a kind of
sweetness.
With
4 drops of water: The nose is now less intense (softer) but
also fresher with a fruitiness akin to summer berries. The
palate has a sweetness with hints of toffee and weak coffee,
it's also less salted now.
With
8 drops of water in 4cl: The nose has much more fruitiness
and now includes a suggestion of dark cherries. The palate
exhibits no saltiness but remains sweet and fruity with a hint
of coffee.
Finish:
Long but shorter with the water.
Overall Impression: A rather different CS Laphroaig in that
I'm getting lots of 'sherried' notes but have no idea what
percentage of this edition comprises sherry casks. Do I like it?
I have to say it's magnificent and challenges that spectacular
Batch #005 for the crown of my favourite CS edition.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 57.9% ABV
Batch 13, bottled
Jan 2021
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich, yellow gold
Nose: My first impression is of
bonfire embers, peat smoke and hints of summer berries in the
background. There's also something quite rich (solid?), perhaps
milky toffee?
Palate: Creamy mouth-feel shortly followed by an explosion
of pepperiness. It's also peaty, smoky and slightly sweet.
With
4 drops of water in 2cl: The nose is now milder with a
gentle metallic fruitiness. It's also exhibits notes of
fishiness and mild smokiness. The palate still offers a creamy
mouth-feel and lots of smokiness and fruitiness.
Finish:
Long with a suggestion of
air-cured ham right at the end.
Overall Impression: I've been tasting batches 13 & 14
together over a few days and whereas you'll see that batch 14
really screams out for water and plenty of it, this batch 13
doesn't. It seems to be a little more balanced and excellent
with or without the water, but not too much.
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Laphroaig,
10y Cask Strength, 58.6% ABV
Batch 14, bottled
June 2021
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich, dark gold with a tint of orange.
Nose: Smoky, fishy, fruity, meaty and
with a background hint of cardboard?
Palate: Massive fishiness then those hints of fruitiness and
meatiness. It's rich, powerful, mouth-coating and crying out for
water.
With
6 drops of water in 4cl: Now a much milder nose but not
lacking any of the character. The palate still offers some
fishiness but the smokiness is much more prominent. Fruity too.
With
4 more drops of water: The nose is now even more mild with
the smokiness prominent and the fishiness in the background. The
palate has developed a rather creamy mouth-feel with a gentle
pepperiness accompanying the smokiness and fishiness. Lovely.
Finish:
Long to very long.
Overall Impression: When I first opened this bottle I was
greeted with an overpowering smack in the face from a mixture of
smokiness, fishiness and fruitiness, but it was just too much as
I felt it was immediately screaming out for water. Yes, for me
that turned out to be true as water definitely tamed it and
turned it into a very good example of the CS 10y series.
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Laphroaig,
"Highgrove"
OB for Prince of
Wales' Highgrove shop
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Bright yellow gold
Nose: Fruity, creamy and peaty all
rolled into one. Light antiseptic (medicinal) undertones slowly
develop over 2-3 minutes as the fruitiness fades leaving the
peatiness and medicinal qualities to expand further.
Palate: Initially a surprisingly watery mouth-feel suggests
some disappointment, but the whisky literally grows on the
palate with full-flavours. There's lots of medicinal peatiness
and a suggestion of liquorice towards the end.
Finish:
Long, deceptively long.
Overall Impression: A great nose is initially let down by
the initial wateriness of the palate, but this realyl does
literally grow on you and turns into a very good overall dram.
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Laphroaig,
Lore, 48% ABV
Original cost of this bottle;
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Pale yellow gold
Nose: My initial thoughts here are of
a typical Laphroaig with an earthy peatiness, lightly smoked,
gentle tropical fruitiness and all set to a background of
Atlantic freshness with a suggestion of saltiness.
Palate: Initially lots of fruity earthiness with a gentle,
almost subdued hint of peatiness. I also detect that tropical
fruitiness carrying on from the nose with traces of melon, mild
papaya and a touch of red apple.
Finish:
Long, but a little watery.
Overall Impression: A good traditional style Laphroaig but
I'm very surprised at the high abv as that finish seems a little
watery suggesting a much lower abv.
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Laphroaig,
Quarter Cask, 48% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Spiegelau
Colour: Warm
gold
Nose:
This
takes a couple of minutes to develop, starting with gently
smoked ham, then opening to a peaty smokiness and finally a full
peat bog right alongside the Atlantic Ocean.
Palate:
Creamy peat which
just expands across the palate with an Atlantic jetty for a
companion.
With 3 drops of
water: A little more intense on the palate, more warming and
even a touch of liquorice in the finish.
Overall Impression:
This
is a wonderfully sophisticated peat experience, but with any
ferocity or sharp edges to discomfort the palate. It is
undoubtedly a Laphroaig, but without the raw iodine elements of
the 10y expression. A delightful dram! |
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Laphroaig,
Triple Wood, 48% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle;
to |
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Nose:
Peat,
seaweed, malt and (wood) smoke all sitting in an old
deep-buttoned leather chair and surrounded by oak book
shelves
Palate:
Rich,
deep, complex and mature with raspberries and bramble (blackberry)
jam to the fore, but the aftertaste is dominated by peat, smoke,
sea air and just a touch of salt.
Overall Impression:
Make
no mistake, this is a real Laphroaig in a smooth, rich and
mature way, with the more typical Laphroaig traits dominating
the aftertaste and not the initial palate. I love this whisky! |
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Laphroaig,
Four Oak, 40% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Pale yellow gold
Nose:
Smoky with a fruity mix of summer berries and the
exotic-ness of papaya, but all wrapped in an Atlantic
coastal-ness of fishy seaweed.
Palate:
Those
coastal elements are definitely to the fore with the exotic
fruitiness and suggestion of woodiness playing second fiddle,
but that's no bad thing.
Finish:
Long and mainly coastal.
Overall Impression:
A lovely Laphroaig, lots of coastal elements
alongside oaky fruitiness. |
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Laphroaig,
PX Cask, 48% ABV
Special release for
Travel Retail
Original cost of
this bottle; not sure, but I expect
to |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Polished brass
Nose:
Earthy with a light rubberiness followed shortly
by hints of medicinal fruitiness which keep getting intercepted
by that light rubberiness. Very interesting repeating
progressions.
Palate:
Quite
dry fruitiness to the fore dominates the light earthy
rubberiness in background. The fruitiness is really quite exotic,
papaya maybe? Towards the finish there's a suggestion of light
and fruity red wine.
Finish:
Long and dry
with that light and fruity red wine.
Overall Impression:
That
red wine really works a treat here, it isn't overpowering and
actually adds to the overall balance of this whisky. I love it. |
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Laphroaig,
PX Cask, 48% ABV
Special release for
Travel Retail (2019)
Original cost of this bottle; |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Amber
Nose:
Mildly fishy and peaty with an underlying red
wine style fruitiness which is a little musty. There are also
hints of woodiness.
Palate:
Warming as it expands across the palate with an initial
suggestion of what seems to be almond (marzipan). Then come the
hints of a young and fruity, light red wine.
Finish:
Long.
Overall Impression:
There's a real "PX" influence here in this slightly unusual or
A-typical Laphroaig, but it's a cracker, I love it. |
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Laphroaig,
PX Cask, 48% ABV
Special release for
Travel Retail (2021)
Original cost of this bottle;
to |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Dark, extremely dark with a tinge of burgundy.
Nose:
A light smokiness alongside mild fishiness and
very heavily sherried with strong suggestions of plum, damson
and a background of nuttiness.
Palate:
This
is certainly heavily sherried with lots of dark fruits and nuts
that were suggested on the nose. There's also a typical
Laphroaig smokiness within a massive burst of red wine-iness -
Burgundy? All of this is concentrated on just the front of the
palate.
Finish:
Long.
Overall Impression:
Was it me who said smoky whiskies shouldn't be
heavily sherried? Well, this is a beauty and the richest yet of
the PX's. I love it. |
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Independent
Bottlers |
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Adelphi &
A.D.Rattray |
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Adelphi, Laphroaig,
20y, 54.4% ABV
Cask 6580,
distilled 1996, bottled 2017, one of 538 bottles
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour Extremely pale yellow gold
Nose:
Fruity, fishy earthiness. I'm almost thinking
smoked mackerel served with a peach sauce. This is so typically
"Atlantic" and Islay.
Palate:
Very
intense with a fruity fishiness and overtones of peatiness.
Delightful.
Finish:
Almost everlasting with intense fruitiness.
Overall Impression:
Truly
delightful. A "Great"? Maybe.
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A.D.
Rattray,
Laphroaig 25y,
24.2.1986-24.2.2011,
60.6% ABV
Bourbon Cask
No.2123
Original cost of
this bottle
Reviewed as part of
MMA 2011 |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
21ct
yellow gold
Nose:
An initial burst of galia melon and papaya is
followed by a suggestion of cherry wood. After 3-5 minutes a
smokiness begins to appear which is followed after 2-3 more
minutes by a slightly antiseptic suggestion.
Palate:
An
initially smooth mouth-feel offers an expanding fruity punch and
a light pepperiness. This expands to include lots more fruit and
then light peat.
Finish:
Very
long and fruity with a mild peatiness.
Overall Impression:
Another truly excellent Laphroaig approaching "Greatness",
but not quite.
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D. Laing,
Old Malt Cask, Laphroaig, distilled 1992, 12y, 50% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Nose: Typical Laphroaig,
peat, smoke and sea-air. But not in a medicinal way. In fcat,
further nosing even identifies a little blue cheese.
Palate: Tingling peat
and smoke, but less pungent than the OB 10y.
Overall Impression: A
good Laphroaig which, as the age suggests, lies in taste between
the OB 10y & 15y.
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D. Laing,
Old Malt Cask Laphroaig, 20y, 50% ABV
Special bottling
for La Maison Du Whisky
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich gold
Nose:
Toasted malt, faint rubber, peat and an Atlantic harbour or
fishing village.
Palate: Rich and smooth
with fruity reminders of Summer berries, but also mature peat
and smoke in a light, Summery kind of way.
With 5 drops of water: A lighter, fruitier nose and the
palate has 'grown' somewhat to enhance the peat.
With 4 more drops of water: Warming peat with the fruit
relogated to the background.
Finish: Long, even longer with water.
Overall Impression: Once
again fruit plays a part in this whisky but the peat dominates
overall. This is undoubtedly a mature Laphroaig, the iodine,
seaweed and Atlantic are not present and water is required is
required to get the best out of this dram, but when added it
rewards thoroughly and turns into a very good and extremely
solid whisky. |
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Douglas Laing "Old
Particular",
Laphroaig, 49.1% ABV
Distilled October
1998, Bottled Decmber 2014, 16y
Cask DL10579,
bottled for HNWS Taiwan
Original cost of
this bottle
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour Pale yellow (lemon) to the points of looking quite
watery.
Nose:
Fishy, fruity and mildly smoky. The fruitiness
seems to suggest summer berries with hints of breen apple and
pear, then with time in the glass this fruitiness expands. The
smokiness is always present in a quite musty way.
Palate:
The
smoky mustiness of the nose carries through into the palate as
does the light fishiness. The fruitiness of the nose just
doesn't carry through so much onto the palate.
Finish:
Long smoky fishiness with a mild pepperiness right at the end.
Overall Impression:
This
just couldn't be anything other than a Laphroaig, a delightful
one too.
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Douglas Laing "Old
Particular",
Laphroaig, 48.4% ABV
Distilled October
1997, Bottled Decmber 2015, 18y
Refill Hogshead,
Cask Ref. DL10591
Original cost of
this bottle
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour Extremely pale, almost almond
Nose:
Loads of Atlantic-ness here with a musty, fishy &
briney-ness with a mild smokiness in the background. This is
reminding me of a busy fishing harbour. There is a mild
fruitiness too but it's very faint in the background.
Palate:
Initially very intense with a smoky fishiness before a tropical
fruitiness joins the party.
Finish:
Medium
Overall Impression:
For me
this is an older style Laphroaig concentrating more on what I
call Atlantic characteristics than the fruitiness of more recent
bottlings. Lovely.
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Old Particular (D.
Laing), Laphroaig 19y, 53.3% ABV
Distilled Oct. 1996
bottled Feb. 2016, one of 22 bottles
Refill Hogshead
Ref. DL10720
Original cost of
this bottle
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Rich
dark amber
Nose:
Fresh Atlantic sea air, almost with light
metallic notes (but in a good way). Mild, very mild fishy notes
which again isn't a bad thing.
Palate:
Everything from the nose now personnified on the palate but also
including a suggestion of creaminess, rather akin to custard.
Finish:
Long
with a suggestion of BBQ custard, if that's in any way possible.
Overall Impression:
Big
and bold, a really good and enjoyable dram.
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Director's Cut (D.Laing)
25y, Laphroaig, 52.3% ABV
March 1989 - July
2014, one of 42 bottles
Refill Hogshead, DL
Ref. 10351
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Coppery bronze
Nose:
What I can only describe as warmed raspberries
immersed in Atlantic sea air, with a suggestion of glowing
bonfire embers in the background.
Palate:
Steckerlfisch again? Or perhaps smoked kippers (herring) over an
Atlantic beach bonfire. The smokiness is definitely wood and not
peat smoke.
Finish:
Long
and smoky.
Overall Impression:
Once
again a Laphroaig with a smoky fish-iness but perhaps more to my
liking with kippers as opposed to Steckerlfisch. Actually very
good indeed.
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Jack Wieber (JWWW)
Laphroaig 5y, 56.7% ABV
(Bourbon) Cask 190,
one of 120 bottles
"Great Ocean
Liners" series
Original cost of
this bottle
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Very
pale yellow, almost like cloudy water
Nose:
Initially lots of milky biscuit on the nose,
opening to include fresh Atlantic Ocean-like saltiness, but that
biscuity-ness is always present.
Palate:
Definitely biscuit-like and almost doughy, rather like bread
dough. Then comes the peatiness in a mixture of peat, wood-smoke
and saltiness. I'm back on Islay for sure.
Finish:
Medium
to long.
Overall Impression:
Slightly unusual with that biscuit-iness but still enjoyable
although obviously young.
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Jack Wieber (JWWW)
Laphroaig 14y, 57.9% ABV
Bottling for Whisky
Fair Limburg 2015
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Pale yellow gold
Nose:
INitially some mildly peppery smokiness then
developing lots of fruitiness which is slightly bitter but
tropical, perhaps akin to maracuja, papaya or mango. After 3-4
minutes in the glass that pepperiness fades.
Palate:
Definitely tingly or peppery on the palate, also with that
fruitiness but the smokiness of the nose is now more like a
fishiness.
Finish:
Extremely long with that mild fishiness and a peppery tingle.
Overall Impression:
Mildly
fruity with that typical Laphroaig Atlantic-ness, I love it.
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Malts
of Scotland,
Laphroaig 1996,
2.7.1996
-
3.2009,
58.5% ABV
Bourbon
Hogshead, Cask 5382, one of 96 bottles
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown but I suspect |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Gold,
rich oak
Nose:
Initially musty wood, then light furniture polish
before developing a solid earthiness which expands to include
peat and even more earthiness with time in the glass.
Palate:
Very
nice, gentle, sophisticated peat.
Finish:
Very
long.
Overall Impression:
Uncomplicated, uncomplex, very nice Laphroaig.
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Malts
of Scotland,
Laphroaig
06.1996
- 09.2012,
56.1% ABV
Sherry
Hogshead, Cask
12041,
bottle No.61 of 240
Original cost of
this bottle
Reviewed (blind) as
part of MMA 2012 |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Dark
amber, Mahogany-ish
Nose:
Furniture polish growing more intense quite
quickly. Not quite dark fruitiness but something similar, fresh,
rich and mildly antiseptic. Just like a good Laphroaig should be.
Palate:
Big,
rich, creamy, luxurious. Now why am I thinking maritime, peaty
crθme Brulιe?
Finish:
Long,
rich and creamy.
Overall Impression:
I love
it. Not quite a "Great" but not far away.
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Malts
of Scotland,
Laphroaig
17.10.96 - 3.2010, 57.6% ABV
Cask 7307, bottle
No.39 of 273
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown
Many thanks to Lars
for this sample during Limburg 2017 |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Extremely pale yellow
Nose:
My first thoughts here are that it's fresh and
herbal. Not quite minty fresh but as in the countryside fresh
air but concentrated, very concentrated. I detect no obvious
smokiness or peatiness.
Palate:
The
freshness continues onto the palate in a creamy kind of way but
it's also now getting quite smoky too. The whole thing is quite
intense on the palate but I put that down to the ABV.
Finish:
Long.
Overall Impression:
Although the palate was quite typical of a Laphroaig the nose
certainly wasn't. Unusual then but very enjoyable indeed.
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Malts
of Scotland,
Laphroaig
1990 - 2015, 54.1% ABV
Cask 15057, bottle
No.38 of 218
Highland Circle
25th Anniversary bottling
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Extremely pale and watery yellow
Nose:
This has a freshness alongside smokiness and
fruitiness in the foreground whilst suggesting mild fishiness in
the background. With time this becomes more smoky reminding me
of bonfire embers.
Palate:
As
this spreads across the palate it grows in peppery (tingly)
intensity and exhibits all the attributes of the nose (smoky,
fishy, fruity) with the fruitiness reminding me of peach or
apricot.
Finish:
Very long with lots of smokiness right at the end.
Overall Impression:
Magnificent, I really love this Laphroaig.
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Signatory,
Laphroaig 15y,
26.11.1996 - 11.6.2012,
51.2% ABV
Cask (hogshead)
No.8510, bottle No.80 of 297
Original cost of
this bottle
Reviewed (blind) as
part of MMA 2012 |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Chablis or Pouilly Fumι
Nose:
Initially lots of fruitiness with hints of banana
stem, melon and peach but all warehoused in a peat bog. This is
all followed by a hint of spent match or firework touchpaper,
but not for long as a lightly peated earthiness soon returns.
Palate:
Bigger
and more intense than the nose with a tingly pepperiness
alongside fruity peatiness. The fruitiness is reminiscent of
(red) summer berries and peach, but the peatiness remains
foremost. It's quite sweet too.
Finish:
Long
and fading only very gently and slowly.
Overall Impression:
A very
subdued nose gives way to a much more intense palate. It's not
bad, but I somehow think it could be much more. It seems to lack
a little depth somewhere.
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Signatory "Vintage",
Laphroaig, 16y, 59.9% ABV
Distilled
22.09.1998, bottled 06.02.2015, one of 585
Refill sherry butt
No.700389 for TWE
Original cost of
this bottle
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour Amber
Nose:
My initial impressions are ones of wine-iness and
copperiness, almost to the point of being metallic. As it
settles in the glass I then detect a mustiness in an almost (but
not quite) smoky way. It's also fresh, almost minty, but again
not quite.
Palate:
This
is mouth-coating, it's big and it just expands across the palate
with a red-wine fruitiness.
Finish:
Long with more of that red wine-iness.
Overall Impression:
This
is an A-typical Laphroaig but nevertheless an enjoyable one
where the refill sherry butt imparts that red wine character.
Nice.
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Signatory,
Laphroaig 16y,
4.4.1995-16.6.2011,
57.4% ABV
"Cask Strength
Collection" Bourbon Barrel No.44, bottle No.18 of 140
Original cost of
this bottle
Reviewed as part of
MMA 2011 |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Bright
golden yellow.
Nose:
Very aromatic and lots of fresh air which reminds
me of freshly washed blankets with conditioner hanging out to
dry. This is followed by a gradually expanding leafiness
accompanied by peat smoke. Do Lenor offer a peated version of
their fabric conditioner? If so, I want it!
Palate:
A
surprising initial burst of creamy coconut with expanding peat
which just expands and expands and expands .... Lots of Atlantic
sea-air now too.
Finish:
Long
and peaty and continuing to expand.
Overall Impression:
Wonderful. Lots of what I call traditional Laphroaig accompanied
by plenty of not so traditional floral surprises. Another
excellent Laphroaig.
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Whisky Agency 12y, 1998-2010,
52.4% ABV
"Liquid Library"
series
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass:
Munich
whisky fair
Colour:
Pale
yellow
Nose:
Peat, smoke and that indisputable Scottish open
countryside alongside Balck-Forest ham!
Palate:
An
Islay peat block served wrapped in Black Forest ham with a hint
of white pepper.
Finish:
Long
with faint pepper and green apples.
Overall Impression:
A very
nice Laphroaig indeed!
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Whisky
Agency,
Laphroaig
20y,
1991-2011, 53.3% ABV
"Liquid
Sun"
series,
Sherry Hogshead, one of 279 bottles
Original cost of
this bottle;
Reviewed as part of
MMA 2011 |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Rich
amber, maybe almost teak
Nose:
Lots of lightly polished smoky oak which slowly
expands to include a faint rubberiness. There's also a
fruitiness which reminds me of red berries and then a faint
suggestion of nuts. Somehow I wonder if this is what it would be
like treading a fruit and nut mixture in an old oak vat wearing
rubber wellies.
Palate:
Very
creamy mouth-feel and lots of vanilla, yes really, even though
this is a sherry cask. It's almost like a bourbon (the vanilla
not the whisky) vanilla sauce. This is soon replaced by
expanding peat smoke, apricot and toasted wood as I detect a
definite change to more typical sherry cask characteristics.
Finish:
Very long,
very rich and slightly dry.
Overall Impression:
What a
surprising whisky. There's just so much happening on both nose
and palate. Wonderful indeed!
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Whisky
Agency,
Laphroaig 21y,
1990-2011, 55.9% ABV
"Private
Stock"
series
(a joint bottling with TWE),
Bourbon Hogshead, one of 264
bottles
Original cost of
this bottle
Reviewed as part of
MMA 2011 |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Very
pale (9ct) yellow gold
Nose:
Lots of glowing enbers, fresh Atlantic sea-air
and some toffee-apple. In fact this is so reminiscent of my
childhood bonfire nights (you know, Nov. 5th when we celebrate
Guy Fawkes failure to blow up the Houses of Parliament) but in
this case held on an Atlantic beach.
Palate:
Even
more peat on the palate, in fact that bonfire just exploded in a
very peaty way. It's also really quite fruity and suggests hot
raspberries swimming in vanilla sauce.
Finish:
Long
and gently peaty.
Overall Impression:
If
only those childhood bonfires would have been held on an
Atlantic beach! This is wonderful whisky, lots of peat but
fruity too. I love that nose, but the palate isn't bad either.
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The Whisky Exchange
& Speciality Drinks |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour: Dark
(21ct) gold
Nose:
Light smoke and peat, but lots of fruit. This also has hints of
sligthly smoky ham, not an intense Black Forest ham, but more
like a local "black-smoked" ham which we buy.
Palate:
Creamy and peaty,
this would be the perfect flavour for a peat ice cream! But
again it needs water.
With 4 drops of
water: The nose has developed a specific apricot aroma
alongside the peat and the palate is already smoother with peat
and fruit.
With 4 more
drops: The peat is more intense but the fruit has been
replaced by more maritime aromas. The palate is turning into 'Islay
at its best' with intense peat and (wood) smoke.
A further 4
drops: A much more maritime nose but the palate is now
weakened a little too much. There's still peat and smoke, but
all intensity is lost with this latest addition of water.
Finish:
Long, long, peat.
Overall Impression:
I'm amazed by the
amount of fruit in this Laphroaig, but don't worry, it's a
genuine Laphroaig with that iodine, smoke and peat when water is
added, just don't add too much. A very good whisky.
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Speciality Drinks "Masterpieces",
Laphroaig, 50.6% ABV
Distilled 2nd May
1996, Aged at least 10 years
PX Sherry Butt, one
of 516 bottles
Original cost of
this bottle
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Dark
copper with a hint of bronze
Nose:
Just a hint of sulphur on the nose? Definitely a
slight suggestion of Pirelli-ness. Come on now, surely not a
suggestion of Brasso too? Ahh that's better, not comes a rather
nice vanilla induced fruitiness. This is a strange one but not
unpleasant.
Palate:
The
first thing I detect is the smooth, creamy mouth-feel, then
chocolate with a faint coffee-ness and a salty freshness I can
only describe as Atlantic driftwood.
Finish:
Long,
very long with a suggestion of oil of orange.
Overall Impression:
What a
combination of aromas and flavours, I particularly love that oil
of orange on the finish.
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Laphroaig, 2007, 52.9% ABV
Cask 2534
Sorry, the only
info I noted was that this is a club bottling
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour Very pale watery yellow
Nose:
Initial suggestion of a herbal fishiness which
soon becomes very meaty. I'm thinking roast beef or a good
steak. The herbal-ness is still present and suggests something
like cumin or taragon. Eventually I'm taken back to my days in
the gym and one particular meal-replacement protein drink.
Palate:
An
intense mouth-coating suggestion of meaty, smoky fishiness all
in one! There's also an accompanying fruitiness akin to peach,
mango and maybe papaya.
Finish:
Long and fruity.
Overall Impression:
Delightful and different especially with meatiness and
fishiness.
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Hepburn's Choice,
Laphroaig 11y, 46% ABV
Bottled 2014, one
of 151 bottles
Refill Hogshead
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Very
pale yellow
Nose:
This comes across as a quite typical Laphroaig
with notes of smokiness over salty, fresh sear air and
iodine-like seaweed-iness. I'm immediately transported back to
Islay.
Palate:
Alongside the smokiness I'm sensing a mild fishiness which
tingles across the palate.
Finish:
Long
and intense with fishy raspberries right at the end.
Overall Impression:
Typical Laphroaig with a couple of a-typical nuances.
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David Stirk,
Laphroaig
14y,
Oct. 1996, 50.8% ABV
"Exclusive
malts"
series, Cask 7317, one of 332 bottles
Original cost of
this bottle;
Dram-atics Live
(and blind) Review |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Pale
straw
Nose:
Cherry schnapps, smoke, wood and a good dose of
Atlantic sea-air.
Palate:
Lots
of fruit alongside wood-smoke and faint peat.
Finish:
Very
long with equal amounts of fruit and sweet peat.
Overall Impression:
I
really didn't feel any need to add water to this sample which I
tasted blind. It's an atypical Laphroaig but a most enjoyable
one.
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Coopers Choice,
Laphroaig 1996
Further details
unknown at the moment
Many thanks to
Manfred for the sample
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Very
pale, almost water-like
Nose:
Now that's a surprise as it's almost fishy, but
only very slightly so, then I notice a biscuit-iness or faint
bread dough-iness in the background. Almost like morning coffee
biscuits.
Palate:
No
biscuit-iness here as I experience a mild peaty smokiness with
oodles (that's lots) of tropical fruitiness.
Finish:
Long
and expanding as it intensifies from nose to palate then even
further into the finish, in fact it just keeps on going.
Overall Impression:
I
tasted this one twice and on the first visit I found everything
more intense than on the second, but it's still good.
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Wilson
& Morgan,
Laphroaig 21y,
1990-2011, 56.3% ABV
"Barrel
Selection"
series, cask
2351,
bottle
212 of 215
bottles
Original cost of
this bottle
(right on the limit at 150)
Reviewed as part of
MMA 2011 |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Rich
amber, not quite treacle toffee.
Nose:
A very generous portion of raisins and plums
marinated in amaretto and served in a toasted oak basket. A hint
of brandy snap too. An initial light smokiness expands with time
in the glass.
Palate:
Quite
unusual here with a suggestion of richly sherried wood, gently
smoky peat and an underlying fruitiness.
Finish:
Long,
rich and succulent.
Overall Impression:
Excellent, truly excellent. I'm really getting to like
the idea of sherried Laphroaig.
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Cadenhead,
Laphroaig 20y,
1998-2018, 54.3% ABV
"Small Batch"
series, two
bourbon Hogsheads, one of 474 bottles
Original cost of
this bottle |
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Glass
Classic Malt
Colour
Golden oak
Nose An
initial massive suggestion of smokiness turns fruity (green
apple)) and almost gently sour or bitter.
Palate Smoky
fruitiness gives way to a delightful slightly salty
maritime-ness.
4 Drops of water
Sadly didn't do very much other than to dliute what is otherwise
a fantastic whisky.
Finish Long.
Overall
Impression This so much reminds me of a fantastic 'old
school' Laphroaig, especially with the maritime elements. A true
Great!
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Glass:
SMWS
Colour: Rich amber
Nose:
Vanilla, cream and sherry. Then comes Crθme Brulιe and some
quite herbal notes, dark cherries and yes, cordite!
Palate:
Initially a dry rubberiness with cherries and raisins followed
by dark chocolate, freshly ground coffee beans, damsons & plums.
With 4 drops of
water: Some wonderful peppery coastal Atlantic notes now
appear.
Finish:
Long, very long.
Overall Impression:
Not a
peat monster although some peaty cordite is present, but this is
a truly wonderful whisky.
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The Perfect Dram,
Laphroaig, distilled 1986, 23y, 60.9% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle; |
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Glass: Classic Malt
Colour: Rich gold, amber
Nose:
Quite fierce leather hiking boots in mid-Summer, walking through
a field of honey.
Palate: Lots of alcohol,
then fruit and peat. It needs water.
With 5 drops of water: The nose is definitely more aromatic
with that honey field.
With 5 more drops: Wow, the nose really has opened to
illustrate sea-shells in a peat bog, right alongside the
Atlantic. The palate is still very intense.
With 10 more drops: The nose is now extremely aromatic
Atlantic air and peat. The palate is really quite fruity (almost
apricot) peat and (wood) smoke.
Finish: Very long.
Overall Impression:
Don't be shy with the water and this dram really will please!
Very different and very enjoyable. |
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Hart
Bro's,
Laphroaig
18y,
April
1990 - Dec. 2008,
46% ABV
"Finest Collection"
series
Original cost of
this bottle
Reviewed as part of
MMA 2011 |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Extremely pale.
Nose:
Leafy light rubber is followed just for a second
or tow by a suggestion of milky baby vomit. Come to think of it
this could be what peaty Ovaltine would be like?
Palate:
Much
more solid than the nose as a creamy peatiness expands to
include red berries, then that leafiness leads into the finish.
Finish:
Very long,
leafy and peaty.
Overall Impression:
A
rather strange nose let this one down somewhat for me.
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Archives,
Laphroaig 1998,
54.2% ABV
Original cost of
this bottle
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Pale
straw
Nose:
Fruity (red & yellow fruits) earthy peat. After
some minutes a light hint of rosemary develops in the background,
but the fruitiness also expands to become very fruity peatiness.
Palate:
That
fruitiness of the nose just continues onto the palate with
raspberry, peach and coconut all introducing the peatiness onto
the palate. The peatiness steadily takes over reducing the
fruitiness to the background. A hint of vanilla now appears too.
Finish:
Long.
Overall Impression:
That
fruitiness is really quite amazing alongside the peatiness. This
is a tremendous whisky with a quite different, but quite
sophisticated character. I love it.
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Anam Na H-Alba,
Laphroaig, 14y, 52.9% ABV
Distilled
14.5.1998, bottled 17.8.2012, No.65 of 85 bottles
Bourbon Cask, Port
finish
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown
Many thanks to
Boris for this sample |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Rich
oak with a touch of copper
Nose:
Mildly fishy with hints of smoked ham. Reminds me
of that German beer garden favourite; Steckerlfisch.
Palate:
A
butter-iness and cream-iness give the palate a really smooth
mouth-feel along with definite hints of red wine, thanks to the
port finish.
With 3 drops of
water: The fish-iness and butter-iness have now disappeared
leaving a much more traditionally smoky Laphroaig, but still
with an emphasis on red wine.
Finish:
Long.
Overall Impression:
Not
too keen on the Steckerlfisch but once I added water this was a
much more traditional and enjoyable Laphroaig.
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Limited Editions,
Laphroaig, 18y, 54.5% ABV
Distilled
4.7.1979, bottled 9.1997, No.130 of 248 bottles
Cask No.5965
Original cost of
this bottle
Unknown |
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Glass:
Classic Malt
Colour:
Very pale yellow gold
Nose:
Mildly smoky with hints of leather and bread
dough.
Palate:
Intensely peppery tingle across palate but also with a flavour
of something very floral but yet unidentifiable. It also has a
very buttery mouth-feel.
Finish:
Extremely long with that floral pepperiness.
Overall Impression:
Laphroaig? It's hard to believe and if I had tasted this blind I
would never have guessed, but that doesn't mean it's bad, just
very unusual. I'm also not sure about that floral element as
it's hard to place, maybe something along the lines of Hyacinth
or even hydrangea.
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A selection of
photos from our distillery visit in 2013 |
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