dhsilv2
Laphroaig 25 Year Cask Strength (2013 Edition)
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
January 19, 2020 (edited June 23, 2020)
Not sure if this is the right picture for the review of this I believe 2018 edition.
Nose - So i get candy cigarettes, lemon lime, a bit of a real cigarette smoke, iodine, and there's a savory note. This is oddly similar with a bit more citrus than some of their younger elements.
Taste - elements of vegetable, vanilla, oak, powered sugar, some citrus fruit, oak almost mutes some of it. The finish is that candy and soft peat. Anyone who thinks 25 years will get rid of the peat punch is crazy, this is heavily peated by any standards. But with it comes so much complexity, so much nuance, so much just awesome whisky.
I always struggle with nuanced notes on peat, but as a peat lover this is hands down my favorite heavily peated whisky to date, pushes the ardbeg 23 out of the way. I'm not honestly a fan of Laphroaig generally but this 25 year is amazing.
I'm debating a 4.5 vs a 4.75 and i think I'm settling on a 4.5 but it's a STRONG 4.5. This is a bottle I'll replace at almost any price as I need this always in my collection.
400.0
USD
per
Bottle
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I have the 2018 bottling, it is 52% and ex-bourbon cask only and white labels. I haven't opened mine yet though.
@cascode Might need to stock up!
@cascode I have not had any older versions (age statements). I have had some older examples of the 25 year. My one fear with the older stuff is that most use wine casks and I think these are great in part because the bourbon casks don't mess much with the malt.
@dhsilv2 I think 2015 was the last time the 25 had a black label.
@Soba45 Last Lore I tasted was pretty good. I like it in spite of my prejudice against NAS - John has authored a pretty clever blend using just enough really old spirit to make it sing. Don't know how long they can keep that up though if old expressions are back on the priority list.
@dhsilv2 Have you tasted any older Laphroigs? 25 is about the balance point for me - after that the tropical notes take over and the peat takes a definite back seat (which is fine by me). The 27 is very nice indeed.
I had the 48.9 version. Very nice but for me didn't rise to the must buy unless 1/4 of the price. I preferred the Lore..but hey I'm a simple man when it comes to peat. Deep rich and impactful ticks the box for me. Not to sure what Lores like now though..probably watered to shite given Laphroaig...
@PBMichiganWolverine it isn't lacking some punch at cask strength, but it is certainly more refined.
@rabbit_in_red 52%
This is on my must try list. I’d imagine the sheer brute force of the 10 is replaced by elegance
What was the abv on this release?