Laphroaig

Laphroaig 25-Year-Old Single Malt Whisky (2016) Review

The end of the year brings two new Laphroaig bottlings – a 30-year-old and 25-year-old expression.  Laphroaig 25 is a blend of whiskies matured in second-fill European Oak sherry casks and ex-bourbon casks bottled at cask strength, or 48.6% abv.  Now we’re cooking!  There’s something interesting about extra-aged Laphroaig.  Sure, after a quarter century sitting in sherry and bourbon casks, the peaty bite that the distillery is so famous for starts to round out, but it still retains the distillery character.

How does it taste?

Lovely. Simply lovely.

The nose is bright, rich, and full of juicy seville orange, dark brown sugar, and smoked bacon. A touch of dried fruits and hay also appear. On entry, Laphroaig 25yr is more vibrant than expected for a whisky that is a quarter century old. Smoked fruits are tempered by freshly squeezed oranges. Waves of vanilla, toffee, and spiced cherries follow. Laphroaig’s signature ashy peat smoke more or less provides a soft bed, complimenting the rest of the flavors. On the back palate, tobacco and aged oak lead things into a long, slightly bitter and fruity finish, with a wisp of smoke.

Big question – is it worth the asking price of $500 a bottle?  Short answer, yes.  In fact I own a bottle from a couple of years ago.  Long answer depends on how much you’re willing to pay for a bottle of whisky, but that’s a discussion for another time.  Either way, make no mistake – this is a beautiful bottling of Laphroaig. 9/10

Thanks to Laphroaig for the sample!  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016

IMG_0778

Oh Laphroaig, how I love thee.

There’s something about that peaty punch in the face…

Since becoming a fan, every spring/summer I await the news of the new Laphroaig Cairdeas.  Each year’s expression is different.  It usually debuts at Feis Ile, Islay’s Music and Malt festival.  Last year’s release was really nice – a throwback to how Laphroaig was made many years ago.

The 2016 edition of Laphroaig Cairdeas is Madeira Cask finished.  Many fans remember the 2013 Cairdeas release, a port-finished whisky.  The excitement level remains high.  I love wine cask finished peaty whiskies.  The smoke and fruit combination just does it for me.

Distillery Manager John Campbell took “fully matured” Laphroaig aged in ex-bourbon casks and moved the whisky to Madeira seasoned casks.  There’s no age statement here, and no indication of how long the second maturation lasted.  Rumor has it this is 8-9 year old Laphroaig.  Doesn’t really matter, does it?  This release is bottled at 51.6% abv, or 103 proof.  It’s not for the faint of heart.  Let’s get to the tasting.

That Laphroaig “iodine” peat character is present in the nose, as one would expect.  It’s joined by ripe red fruit, toffee and black pepper.  At such a high proof, this whisky packs a little heat upon entry.  Past that is a balancing act of bright citrus (fresh tangerines), smoke, seaweed and herbs (think rosemary). The citrus cuts through the heavy smoke, giving it some welcome vibrancy.  The herbal notes sit right in the middle, along with toasted malt, cinnamon and light toffee.  The long finish leaves behind spiced orange and a bit of smoke.

Let’s put another mark in the “W” column with this release.  Campbell made a wise decision using Madeira casks for a second maturation.  The fortified wine beautifully integrates with the heavy Laphroaig distillery character.  I know some purists who don’t care for secondary maturation.  I urge them, and any curious readers, to try a glass.  This may be one to change their minds.  There is no word on the number of bottles in this release, but it’s limited.  A bottle will cost about $75.  Highly recommended!  8.5/10

Thanks to Laphroaig for the sample.  As always, thoughts and opinions are my own.

Laphroaig Lore Single Malt Scotch Review

Laphroaig Lore

A new permanent Laphroaig expression?  That’s an exciting idea, although I hope this whisky is worthy of an addition to the distillery’s core lineup.  The basic idea behind this release is to honor the skills and traditions Laphroaig distillers have passed on generation to generation.  In other words, they’re referring to the use and blending of different types of barrels.

Laphroaig Lore is made up of variety of barrels:

  • First-fill ex-bourbon casks followed by a second maturation in virgin European oak casks
  • First-fill ex-Oloroso sherry butts
  • First-fill and refill quarter casks
  • Refill ex-Laphroaig stock (casks that previously matured Laphroaig)

Although Laphroaig Lore carries no age statement, Distillery Manager John Campbell says he used whiskies aged between 7 and 21 years to craft this blend.  It’s being called “the richest of the rich.”  Let’s check out the liquid.

The nose on Laphroaig Lore is heavy with grilled pineapple, spiced mango and a crisp bonfire upfront, and notes of salted dark chocolate, vanilla, orange peel and licorice just past that.  A blast of peat starts things off on the palate alongside fresh orange juice.  This quickly develops into creamy malt, spicy cinnamon, toffee, brine, seaweed and sherried fruit notes.  The ashy smoke in this whisky slowly increases as you approach the slightly dry finish.  Oddly it isn’t as long as I’d expect from Laphroaig, but then again there are quarter cask-matured whiskies here. All that wood contact may have added drying tannins.  A bit of smoke and sweet malt are left lingering.

I’m a sucker for peated sherried whiskies, and this one fits the bill, if only a bit.  That smoky fruit flavor combination is killer stuff.  Adding to the complexity is that spiciness provided by those quarter casks.  Those first-fill sherry butts do give this whisky a richness not normally found some of their expressions, but there is a crispness that cuts right through.  This is a really nice expression of Laphroaig.  I’m glad this is a permanent addition to their core lineup and not a limited edition, one-time release.

9/10
(Note: A review sample was provided by this company behind this whisky free of charge.  The opinions written are my own.)