Laphroaig is the largest of the three heavyweight Islay distilleries in Kildalton, out-stripping the production capacity of neighbours, Ardbeg and Lagavulin, by over 1 million litres per annum. Despite its traditional appearance, Laphroaig was always a forward-thinking distillery. It was bottled as a single malt as early as the 1920s, an unfashionable option at the time, especially for a peated whisky. They were also shrewd in capitalising on post-Prohibition America to add trademark sweetness to their spirit through the use of imported ex-bourbon casks, and hired Scotland’s first ever female distillery manager, Bessie Williamson, in 1954. Laphroaig is one of only a handful of distilleries in Scotland to still use in-house maltings, providing them with 20% of their annual requirements, and contributing to the distillery’s unique flavour profile.
This 2017 limited edition was vatted from whiskies distilled between October 1988 and November 1989, and aged in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels and refill quarter casks.
Nose
dense medical smoke, intertwined by age, surprisingly high fruit, including orange, vanilla cream – over the complex nose lies a thin layer of dust
Taste
Immediately the relatively thin body stands out, sweet tincture of iodine, immature honey melon, behind it dry oak, but no bitterness
Finish
Iodine, hay, relatively short, little wood
