I guess this is now a more Laphroaig return (we had like 7 scotches mostly in a row) starting with Laphroaig recently. This is another gift to the lounge in the form of a 15 year old whisky. While the lounge accepts all gifts, we accept those older than our nieces and nephews happily.
If however you are looking for something that screams ‘Islay’ you might want to move along, because while this is a great scotch – even better with a bit of water/ice – it is not some sort of Peat Monster or Lagavulin 16 year. I am okay with that though when you consider the Select or Three Wood we’ve reviewed I feel like this is the loser of the three.
What they Say: “Bottle: In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Laphroaig, this unforgettable 15 years old liquid will be celebrated and savoured around the world. Mildly smoky, this liquid has a soft dryness and just a hint of the sea.
Box: Since 1815, Laphroaig (La-froyg) has married malted barley with smoke from our native peat to produce the most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies.
Distilled on the island of Islay off the west coast of Scotland, the flavour of Laphroaig is as untamed as the ocean itself. Our single malt Scotch whisky has always kept itself a bit remote, like the islanders of Islay themselves. But if you make the effort and broach acquaintance you’ll have a warm and genuine friend for life.
In celebration of the 200th anniversary, Laphroaig has created this limited edition 15 year old expression. It is truly something to savour – with good friends if you are feeling generous. Scents of grapefruit and fresh mint greet you when you first open the bottle. A touch of water releases salted caramel, with signature Islay peat smoke underlying sweet orchard fruit aromas.
The first taste is of pink peppercorns with light peat smoke and a soft dryness that resolves to the flavour of tobacco. Just a faint hint of the sea follows, testimony to 15 years of maturation next to the Atlantic Ocean. The prolonged mellow finish, with a smoky aftertaste, will ensure your experience its fulfilling and unforgettable.”
Taste: 6.0 – A two hit punch of sweetness and peatyness, this is certainly a more mellowed spirit than a younger Islay scotch, in fact if not for the long lingering warmth I would not have guess it as one.
Aftertaste: 5.5 – It says ‘a hint of the sea’ – what I got though was a bit of the scotch on my lips, but.. well it tastes like the air when you got near an ocean. Not briny or fishy but the saltier air. I sort of like it.
Burn/Smooth: 8.0 – That warms the cockles of my heart.
Aroma: 5.0 – It’s okay. I mean I enjoy the smell but it does little to add complexity or depth I would want – possible just mellowed too much by age.
Honesty: 6.5 – It’s Laphroaig, but the box goes into a little too much wanky detail of minutia that some sommelier felt like saying so it loses a point, without gaining more.
Mixability: 7.5
W/ Rock: 7.5 – Wow, that really opens it up adding more layers and complexity.
Value: 6.0 – That is actually not a bad price for a 15 year old scotch. Considering how it warms your soul and the scotch with a bit of water or single ice cube makes this another delicious gift to the lounge.
Google Shop Average: $80
Website: http://www.laphroaig.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 6.5
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Metric Score: 44.5/70 |+| Metric Average: 6.36 |+| Reviewer Average: 6.5
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Final Thoughts: While I am glad to have this, when the time comes again to buy from Laphroaig (and there’s nothing new to review from them at that store) I will go with the Select over the 15 year.
