Laphroaig 18 Year

As I was first exploring whiskey and learning about the different aromas, flavors, regions, and varieties, I was drawn to Islay scotch. The main producers: Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig kept things straightforward. Debates about no-age-statement versus age-stated whisky and non-chilled filtering were prevalent, along with discussions on which distillery was the best Islay producer. The range of options was quite limited back then, but the quality was high. All three made excellent products, and the prices were reasonable. I particularly favored Laphroaig. Fast forward to the present, and what do I observe? Laphroaig, for the most part, maintains its lineup and produces quality spirits at a fair price. Lagavulin has expanded its marketing, including partnerships with a well-known actor, but has generally stayed true to its standards. Ardbeg, in my view, has gone all out, releasing everything they make and labeling it, which can be overwhelming for their dedicated fans. There are too many products to count, and they come with high price tags. Does this diminish their brand reputation (I have my own thoughts on this, but I'll leave it for discussion)? What's my point in all this? This sample of Laphroaig 18 reminds me of that earlier era. This sample is from a long time ago, generously shared by a friend who graciously provided it for me to enjoy this evening. Nose: The distinct Laphroaig smoky sweetness hits you immediately. It's not overpowering or intense but rather refined and elegant. Wonderful. It's an aroma that you could appreciate for hours. Iodine, lemonade, black tea, honey, apricots, oysters on the half shell, butterscotch, caramel apples, and white pepper. The nose captures nearly every positive characteristic of scotch. It evokes images of an oyster roast on a warm September afternoon. Palate: It gently arrives on the palate with a light and spicy kick. It has notes of Irish and Lapsang souchong tea with honey. Smoked brisket with a brown sugar BBQ sauce delivers savory, briny flavors that make your mouth water. Salted caramel encased in milk/dark chocolate. Almonds and oranges, cinnamon. As it develops, the brown sugar note becomes more pronounced, in a delightful way. Finish: A long finish that you're pleased to have linger, as you want to savor all that goodness for as long as possible. Charred oak, brown sugar that transitions to caramel over vanilla custard. Cigar tobacco ultimately remains on the palate indefinitely, accompanied by butterscotch sweetness. Overall: An incredible artistic creation. Perfect brushstrokes of aromas and flavors. Like a Starry Night or a Monet painting. I don't understand why Laphroaig stopped making this, but it's a powerful spirit. When it was widely available, it was affordably priced and fit perfectly within their range alongside their 10 and 15-year-old offerings. The NAS Lore has taken its place (which I haven't enjoyed yet). The balance is precise, with sweetness, dryness, smokiness, and savoriness. The flavors are endless, vivid, clear, and work together seamlessly, like a synchronized rowing team or the strokes of a painter's brush. Many thanks to my longtime friend for sharing this sample from so long ago. [98/100][Tasted: 12/8/23]

This was unfortunately discontinued a few years back. So, when I spotted this while visiting someone, I had to get it. Especially after reading favorable reviews here. And also because I knew this might be my only chance to try it. Let's dive in. Nose: Similar to the new 16-year-old Lap, the peat is dialed back here. Not quite to that extent, though. Abundant brine, sea salt, and seaweed. A subtle hint of campfire smoke and sulfur in the background. Iodine and band-aid, with a touch of tennis ball. Cream, toffee, and vanilla. Apple and pear, peach. Perhaps apple pie? Orange and lemon citrus. Plenty of fruit, definitely. Intriguing for Laphroaig. There's also some jammy sweetness. A bit of caramel, and as expected with 18 years in the cask, plenty of oak. A truly magnificent nose. Palate: The peat is much more prominent here. All-day campfire smoke, strongly supported by sea salt, seaweed, and iodine, with a hint of that tennis ball note. Similar to the nose, but everything hits harder, especially the smoke, reminiscent of younger bottlings. Orange, nectarine, tangerine, grapefruit, and lemon citrus. Walnut, chestnut, and salted almond. Salted caramel and soft pretzel. BBQ, brisket notes. Some apple mixed in. Black pepper and oak spice. Vanilla, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and more jammy sweetness. Wow. I'm writing a novel to describe this, and it's all unbelievably good. Finish: All the chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and tart notes arrive first. Then the smoke, salinity, and medicinal notes emerge. Apple, pear, and orange appear next. Finally, it transitions from orchard fruit to black pepper and oak, concluding with one last wave of smoke and sea salt to complete a long, drying finish. As is customary with elite Islay whiskies, I feel as though I've just spent a day at the beach. A superb finish. Another success from Laphroaig. And from a bygone era, at this point. This is the first Laphroaig I've encountered with this bottle/packaging style. And I'm incredibly grateful that I stumbled upon it, despite being late to the game. This is a truly remarkable bottle, and I find the discontinuation of this line perplexing. This has truly evolved since I first opened it. It felt reserved and somewhat flat compared to my expectations. A meticulously aged beauty like this deserves time for oxidation to truly come into its own. That's the takeaway here; it's absolutely phenomenal liquid. Remarkable from start to finish, but I'll highlight that the palate is on another level. It's what makes this a true masterpiece. Purchase it immediately, without hesitation.

Smoky, woody, and a wealth of warm wood shavings scents merge smoothly for an elegantly refined aroma that is more than the sum of its parts. Hints of vanilla, honey, saltiness, iodine, seaweed, black tea, grapefruit, leather, damp ground (cellar earth), and ground spices. The characteristic Laphroaig "hospital antiseptic" scent has softened with age, yielding a smoky creosote foundation. Together, it resembles polished amber displayed on black velvet. With time, the aroma gains even more depth and cohesion. Allow at least 15 minutes before tasting and continue to inhale throughout. Palate: Following the nose's subtlety, the palate is somewhat unexpected – this spirit is by no means old and weak. The initial taste is well-defined, smoky, slightly dry, and a bit spicy. As it develops, it becomes spicy, nutty, and creamy. The palate is full of sweet smoke with traces of tar, bitter lemon, vanilla, avocado, and honey – akin to the nose but more assertive. The spice that emerges during development persists into the finish. It's warming and soothing to the throat. Finish: Long and lingering, spicy, with a pleasant saltiness and just the faintest hint of the signature Laphroaig licorice. The licorice remains as the final flavor, accompanied by a slightly bittersweet tang reminiscent of 90% dark chocolate, a touch of mint, and considerable smoke. A truly satisfying finish and aftertaste. This whisky possesses a very pleasing texture that is both coating and dry, and its 48% ABV is ideal for its delivery. The key to enjoying it is patience – dedicating at least an hour to the dram is necessary. Any suggestions that this whisky lacks peat smoke are, in my opinion, due to rushed tastings. It is delicious neat, and the only reason to add water is to experience a slightly different profile, but please avoid overdoing it – just a couple of drops. This enhances both the aroma and palate without significantly altering them; everything gains a little body, the spice and sweet notes seem to meld, and the smoke is... well, "blown around in the glass" is the only way to describe it. Not stronger, exactly, but uplifted as if by a breeze. This is an exceptional spirit that is regrettably almost impossible to find (I recently acquired a bottle by chance and am unsure if any remain in the country). I truly hope that in a few years, should their inventory increase, the distillery will release another Laphroaig 18 as outstanding as this. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars)

I'm experimenting with some new black opaque Glencairns by doing some crazy blind tastings, and I've discovered that without any visual cues, I'm completely hopeless at guessing a whisky and am forced to just pick preferences based solely on smell and taste. By far the wildest result so far came from this lineup: Brora 37 year old (2015 official bottling at 50.4%), Caol Ila 31 year old (2015 Signatory bottling at 47.0%), Laphroaig 18 year old (2016 official bottling at 48.0%), Laphroaig 19 year old (2015 Cadenhead bottling at 54.0%), Laphroaig 32 year old (2015 official bottling at 46.7%), Talisker 1985 Maritime Edition (2013 official bottling at 56.1%). So, the top 5 in this lineup were very close. My clearcut least favorite was... the humble Laphroaig 32 year old. And my favorite sip from the lineup, more enjoyable than the $1500 Brora, was... Laphroaig 18 year old. What!? I don't know what to make of these blind tastings. On the one hand, it's evidence that, based on smell and taste alone, very expensive whiskies may not be superior to more affordable ones. On the other hand, without a blindfold, I would prefer Laphroaig 32. I mean, just unlatching that copper latch gives me all sorts of anticipatory feelings. But I have to give credit to Laphroaig 18. If the distillery put this stuff in a giant wooden box with a copper latch and copper lettering, and then lied and said it was 38 years old, I would probably have been happy paying a thousand dollars or more. This might be the perfectly balanced Laphroaig. It is just old enough to get some crazy tropical fruit flavors from the bourbon cask, and it is just young enough to still retain that medicinal, iodine character of Laphroaig. It is just old enough and proofed high enough to be oily, savory, and lingering in the finish; it is just young enough to be bold and explosive when it first hits your palate. For beating 5 other more expensive whiskies, Laphroaig 18 must get 3 stars. Score: *** (I am not worthy) How much does a bottle cost?: This was $80-120. Secondary market pricing now ranges $300-800. How much do I think a bottle is worth?: $350

Designation: (White tube version) Alcohol by volume: 48% Filtration: Non-chill filtered Coloration: Added Aroma: Rich and intricate, with a powerful yet not overwhelming peat smoke reminiscent of road tar, medicinal qualities, and maritime notes. Additional scents include floral hints; dark chocolate fudge; lime; vanilla; saltiness; damp oak; sweet dark fruits like plum and raisin. There's also a whisper of herbs such as parsley alongside baked goods, possibly gingerbread. A multitude of elements are present. Taste: Full-bodied, sweet, savory, and viscous. Medium body. The peaty smoke spice greets you initially but quickly yields to a cascade of other subtle flavors. I seem to discover something new with each tasting, particularly after allowing it to rest in the glass with a few drops of water. In no particular order: chili pepper; lime citrus; vanilla; cinnamon sugar; caramel; floral; fudge; toffee; sea salt; a savory essence from a hint of seaweed and fish sauce; teriyaki barbecue; nuttiness akin to hazelnut or almond; a touch of bitterness from herbs. Finish: Medium and velvety. A faint ashy peat remains, mingling with sweetness like vanilla, red apple, and raw honey. Also present are dark chocolate espresso, almond, lime juice/salt reminiscent of a margarita rim, menthol, and a slight tartness that brings pomegranate to mind. Worth: This item is no longer produced, so if you locate it on a shelf, it might cost as little as $100 (purchase immediately), otherwise, anticipate spending hundreds on the resale market. Concluding thoughts: What a remarkable spirit. This was an outstanding release from Laphroaig, pure and simple. Its complexity is mesmerizing, and its balance is so seamless that this 48% ABV malt drinks like a 40%. The characteristic peat smoke is present, but it functions as part of the ensemble with this Laphroaig. The finish is slightly shorter than I would prefer, but it's such a minor flaw that it was barely worth noting. It's a profound shame this work of art is no longer available, but I will say this: life is short, so if you encounter this for even $200, seize the opportunity. Rating: 4.5/5 Strongly endorse acquiring a bottle. (I possess several green tube versions that I intend to compare with this one in the near future.)

I had the good fortune to sample this discontinued spirit, courtesy of Davie Warner. I took my time to savor it, even smelling the bottle at various moments over a few days before pouring a measure. The peat has considerably softened over an additional 8 years of aging, so don't anticipate the typical Laphroaig full-on assault. It's less campfire, more like an encyclopedia – imagine a collection of old, leather-bound volumes. There's also a robust presence of brine and sea spray. Beneath these signature Laphroaig characteristics lies a much sweeter and more succulent layer of cured, salted ham, neroli, and tangerine or orange. The fruit flavors gradually emerge over time and eventually overshadow the peat, which recedes into the background. The palate nearly vibrates with flavor upon entry, and it's intensely fruity. Following a wave of tangerines and mandarin oranges (I can almost envision a cocktail blending Cointreau and Laphroaig in equal parts), there are also hints of tropical fruit and toffee. The peat offers a pleasant balance here, alongside some oak structure, but it's a subtle, toasted note rather than smoke. It's also, as a renowned chef might say, perfectly seasoned (meaning a generous pinch of salt). The finish is like an Aztec chocolate bar – dark chocolate, flecks of chili pepper, some orange peel, and salt on the lips. There's almost a sherry-like quality to it, with a berry-like sweetness at the end. The finish extends indefinitely and leaves a mouth-drying sensation similar to Highland Park 18, accompanied by some pepperiness. A superb scotch, suited for moments when a more subdued peat is appropriate. The best comparison I can offer is that it lies somewhere between Highland Park 18 and Laphroaig 10.