On that Laphroaig-y Note – Tasting the Laphroaig 25

After comparing the Old and the new Laphroaig 15 year olds (see here) it’s time to go back to the Whisky Show (yes, I’ll be there this year too, and would love to see any of you who might be there!) where I tasted the Laphroaig 25, a curious easy drinker in a rather low natural cask strength ABV after 25 years in casks.

In the show, I spent quite a bit of time with this dram in my glass, really enjoying it. This begs the question, of course, of how do you spend a long time with any one whisky at the show. Well, there are two ways, the first is to have it in your glass as you get on queue for lunch, and the second is to take it into a masterclass with you. I did the latter, having quite a bit of time for it to open up in the glass.

Photo Credit: photo.powerbit.com.ua

Photo Credit: photo.powerbit.com.ua

This whisky is a marriage of first fill Oloroso sherry and and first fill ex-bourbon casks, and is very successful in bringing the “old sherry” with a time mellowed Laphroaig nose. This expression is full of dignity and mildness. Beautiful!

Photo Credit: thewhiskyexchange.com

Photo Credit: thewhiskyexchange.com

Laphroaig 25 Year Old, 2014 Release (45.1% ABV)

Appearance: Shining amber, very slow legs with a lot of residual droplets.

Nose: Gentle with honey and vanilla on a light and distant peaty background, overlaid with a sweetness. Kumquats served downwind of a distant campfire on the beach. The word here is gentle.
With time, an aged mustiness appears with a curious open meadow, and the peat comes back to reassert itself with somewhat of light kelpy note.

Palate: Oh, here’s the peat that was playing hide-and-go-seek with in the nose. Honey and citrus dance with the peat on the palate. It’s gentle and I have to use the S-word here: very smooth and silky. Hints of oak and spice flash across the palate in this dram.

Linger: Citrus giving a lingering tangy note with light peat and residual sweetness. Notes of peaty pepper in the back of the throat.

Conclusion

Very dignified, with a gravitas and a gentleness you’d expect from a whisky this old. The sherry and bourbon casks join beautifully here, and that final note coming on the nose after having some serious time to open – aged mustiness with a freshness – is stunning.

Definitely a bottle for a REALLY special occasion 🙂

Laphroaig is releasing a 32 year old in the near future. I hope to be able to taste it (probably at the TWE Whisky Show) and share my notes on it.

 

 

2 comments on “On that Laphroaig-y Note – Tasting the Laphroaig 25
  1. Bob Clinton says:

    My general opinion is that the younger Laphroaigs are superior to the older ones. And my favorite is the 10 year old cask strength. I like the 25, but still prefer the younger ones, so I save some money that way!

    That said, I had an opportunity to try the 32 year old in the spring, and it was phenomenal. I am interested in what you think of it.

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