PBMichiganWolverine
Laphroaig 15 Year 200th Anniversary
Single Malt — Islay , Scotland
Reviewed
September 13, 2019 (edited March 11, 2021)
There was a time years back when the original 15 yr Laohroaig was the crown jewel in its portfolio . The 10 was the entry level, but the 15 was the one in most demand. Including from Prince Charles, which led to Laphroaig being granted a Royal Warrant ( in essence, endorsed by the royal family as the only whisky to be in the palace). That original 15 is long gone, probably going for hundreds in auction. Till a few years ago, until when this new bottling was created.
It’s been a while since I’ve had a Laphroaig. Nothing quite like the medicinal phenolic aroma, followed by classic briny seaweed taste with a sizing of iodine. That description sounds bad for those that haven’t this, but once you do, that is spot on in a really good way.
Well, thanks to @Scott_E, I got a chance to give this a whirl. I had it a few years ago when it came out, but am thankful for another shot at it, especially considering this particular variety is now hard to find.
This 15 yr version is tamer than the 10; almost muted in intensity. But that doesn’t make it boring. Anything but boring. Amazing full body oily profile of citrus, brine, anchovies. Hefty dose of sea salt, a bit of tabacco leaf. Don’t go in expecting the brute force of the 10. This is milder, refined. I’m not sure if it’s now discontinued or a part of their core lineup again—-either way, if you come upon this, it’s a no-brainer buy, provided price is right.
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@Soba45 That's a great price for the 15 year (phenomenal if it's the old 15 and not the anniversary). US$200 is about what I paid for a bottle of the 18 in 2017, and I'm pretty certain it was the last one in the country. It has about 4 drams left in the bottle :-(
@Slainte-Mhath I have the same affliction
@Soba45 when I visit NZ, I now know my first place to visit 😊
@PBMichiganWolverine @Rick_M We've had 15 yrs sold here for quite a while.. $100USD the going rate. $200USD for the 18
@Slainte-Mhath likewise. But now I’m truly running into space issues.
@Rick_M probably only in auction, at high prices
The 15 and 18 have gone the way if the buffalo. Pre royal warrant (1994) are the ones to find. Even pre royal 10yo.
@PBMichiganWolverine I try to convince myself to stop buying new bottles but, alas, the temptation prevails!
@Soba45 @cascode for some reason I thought this 15 was a core expression. If I had known it wasn’t, I’d have bought a bottle.
@Scott_E likewise—-so damn behind on samples ( over 200 ) and bottles ( 600). I need a few lifetimes to catch up
Great review. I still have a bottle of this and the 18 yr to crack open one day. Those were the days I could get the 18 year for $70USD...only a few years ago!
I picked up 2 bottles of this for about $79 (two years ago). I am so far behind on my samples plus what I have opened and haven’t “tasted”. I can’t wait to dig into this one. Great review. Glad you enjoyed.
Great review - yes, this is hard to find now for us mere mortals but I bet His Royal Highness has no difficulty at all in keeping a constant stock ;-) I very much enjoy the way peaty whiskies mature, particularly when they hit that sweet spot where the tropical fruit notes just equal the muted smoke.