Laphroaig 25 (2018 Edition)

Nose: An intense wave of brine, pineapple with tajin, smoke, and seaweed. Sweet vegetal notes of celery and carrot. Brown sugar and vanilla, undoubtedly from aging in an ex-bourbon cask. This aroma is captivating. Citrus peel, cream, and black pepper. Subtle nutmeg and allspice. Tarry rope. It is unmistakably a Laphroaig, yet with added richness and complexity. Palate: Minty, fruity, peaty, smoky, and briny. Oak and vanilla are much more noticeable than in the aroma. Black and pink peppercorns. Tannins contribute to an interesting mouthfeel. Notes of black and green tea. The retronasal aroma is of ashy, well-aged smoke. Brown sugar syrup. Extremely ripe apricots and peaches. Red apples. Heather honey. It's quite impressive that the distillate character remains so prominent - a testament to its quality. Stunningly well-balanced; the smoke, ash, and peat are not as overpowering as one might find in, for example, the 10 year, but they still hold their own remarkably well against everything else present. Medium mouthfeel. Finish: The pineapple and brine combination reappears. Oak, vanilla, and brown sugar form a foundation. Ash, damp earth, and mint are present. Raw phenolic content and ethanol offer a brief respite before candied lemon peel, cracked black pepper, and anise begin to mingle. Medium-long length. With a few drops of water: The tea notes become more pronounced, with a hint of eucalyptus. The pineapple shifts towards mango. The oak becomes slightly drier. The palate softens and becomes more approachable. The finish also mellows, though an added effervescence provides a pleasant contrast. The phenols also persist on the tongue, leaving a wonderful sensation and taste reminiscent of cherry Chloraseptic. In the best way. Additional thoughts: Whenever I consider a spirit priced over $100, I prepare for significant disappointment. Sometimes, the contents pleasantly surprise me by meeting my standard for "great." Very rarely, a spirit will achieve my definition of "exceptional." This latter designation requires the spirit to offer something unusual, incredibly refined, or otherwise distinctive in a pleasing way. Comparing this to the standard 10 year reveals a dramatic and positive evolution. Beneath the smoke, ash, and peat, the 10 year is quite delicate, almost light. The 25 year's mid-palate is fuller while retaining many of the bright, delicate top notes. Considering this whiskey on its own merits, I would classify it as "exceptional." Is it worth the extremely high price? Likely not. However, it is still fantastic. From what I recall (as I don't have any on hand), the 10 year Cask Strength offers a similarly intensified experience but lacks the depth and richness found in this more aged expression. Worth a glass, but perhaps not a bottle. It's certainly not something I can afford to keep in regular supply. Nevertheless, I am very pleased to have acquired it for my collection. Well done. Cheers!

The nose is floral and light. The palate is much bolder, delivering classic Laphroaig peat followed by intense smoked meat, metal, and earth. The finish is long but bitter, leaving a gripping yet astringent sensation on the sides of the tongue.