Laphroaig 18 Year Old

Photo provided by The Whisky Exchange

This 18 year old expres­sion (which is replac­ing the much-loved 15yo) of Laphroaig is made in lim­ited quan­ti­ties each year and savoured by a for­tu­nate few. A soft, sweet and spicy Islay peat smoke greets you when you first open the bot­tle. The imme­di­ate taste is an oak sweet­ness, from 18 years in the bar­rel. A faint hint of the sea can be detected, tes­ti­mony to its time matur­ing on the remote island of Islay.

Bot­tled at 48% ABV and non-chill fil­tered for a depth of taste and texture.

Colour Bright gold. Nose At bottling strength, a soft toffee sweet, faintly spicy flavour counterbalances the trace of delicate phenols and fruit. There is an all encompassing smoothness when these are all brought together. Adding a touch of water allows the seaweed and salt to come through but not enough to overpower the vanilla and honey sweetness with just a trace of new mown hay and peat at the finish. Body An intense depth that is exceptionally balanced and warming. Taste: An instant warming tang of smoke that fades into smooth floral scents and blends seamlessly into an oaky nuttiness and leaves a lasting sweetness on the taste. With a touch of water the peaty warmth fills the mouth but does not overshadow the sweet chocolate smoothness. This is balanced by the rich toffee taste and slowly fades into a delicate hint of heather and peat smoke. Finish: Full bodied, long with a luxurious oily smoothness. My tasting notes: Nose: Lively and sweet, with woodsmoke, soot, wet stones, hay, honey and maritime notes of tar and brine. Very appetising mix of soot and syrup. Palate Big and powerful, but with a soft sweetness and generous texture. As well as the textbook Laphroaig coal, I found burnt wood, black pepper, barley sugar and roasted cereals, with an underlying honey/syrup note threaded through the whole. In a word: delicious. Finish: Good length and surprisingly smooth (I hate using that word in tasting notes, but it was) and restrained - though still assertive and characterful. Great balance. Comment Very good indeed. A fitting replacement for the 15 year-old, if rather more muscular and full-bodied in style.

Tasting note by Tim F, The Whisky Exchange blog