pkingmartin
Reviewed
March 29, 2023 (edited March 31, 2023)
Next up in my Laphroaig series, is a sample of the 2021 release of their 25-year cask strength that was bottled at 51.9% abv.
The nose is subtle starting with a mix of candied bacon, grilled mango, honeysuckle and dusty leather-bound books then lemon sponge cake, caramelized figs, dark chocolate covered hazelnuts and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by blackberry jam, papaya and cherries jubilee that transitions to mild baking spices, seaside rocky minerality and lacquered antique furniture with medium ethanol burn.
The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruits before a moderate bitter spice that quickly fades to smoked salmon, lemon meringues and dusty leather-bound books then bacon wrapped dates, spicy mocha, honeysuckle and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by blackberry jam, mandarin orange and mildly sour black cherries that transitions to mild baking spices, seaside rocky minerality and mildly bitter black tea with medium ethanol burn.
The finish is long, starting with sweet and sour caramelized tropical fruits that fade to the background of light smoky meats, pipe tobacco, seaside rocky minerality, leather-bound books and mildly bitter black tea.
I’ve been eager to get to this sample during this Laphroaig marathon of mine and was hopeful it would challenge that 15-year 200th Anniversary for the top spot. The nose is a wonderful yet subtle mixture of light smoke coalescing around tropical fruits and berries with a very mild well-aged oak influence that carries over to the palate but the fruits lean slightly sourer than I prefer with a moderate spice with the oak veering towards a mildly bitter tea note before finishing long with an enjoyable mix of sweet, sour, smoky and mild bitterness that lingers for minutes after each sip.
Overall, a really well-composed dram that has some flaws for my palate that could likely be more favorable towards others that even with its higher proof and age statement fails to really overpower that 15-year 200th Anniversary for the top spot and I’d likely even prefer the Lore slightly over it.
At a price of around $600+ near me, this isn’t one I’m going to be reaching for a full bottle anytime soon, but I have heard these can vary from batch to batch and would recommend anyone try a bar pour or sample before pulling the trigger.
Ratings for the series so far:
10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75
10-year sherry oak finish- 4.0
Lore- 4.0
2019 Caidreas Triple Wood- 3.75
2020 Caidreas Port and Wine - 3.75
2021 Caidreas PX - 4.0
15-year 200th Anniversary- 4.5
16-year- 4.0
TWB “It’s been a long way” 15-year IB- 3.25
15-year by The Character of Islay Release #11693- 4.0
25-year (2021)- 4.0