Laphroaig 27 Year (2017 Release)

Laphroaig tasting event, Sydney, September 26, 2018. Whiskey #4. Aroma: The scent of a fruit salad bowl, enjoyed in a fragrant seaside garden, with the faintest wisp of smoke occasionally carried on a salty breeze from a beach fire. Beautifully aromatic, encompassing yet subtle - sensual but almost transparently floral. At times the fruity scent intensifies to resemble the aroma of a bag of boiled fruit candies, but only momentarily before being dispersed by the gentle aromatic smoke. Palate: A sweet, subtle, and refined entry of slightly oily tropical fruit juice (orange, mandarin, pineapple, melon, guava, and banana). The smoky hint from the aroma becomes more intense, evolving into a complex series of smoky flavors as it develops - peat smoke, cigar ash, wood-fire embers, and very slightly over-toasted raisin bread. Concurrent warm and savory spicy notes (notably cardamom and cumin) emerge, carrying hints of Greek coffee and aged, well-integrated oak tannins. Finish: Medium/long. The initial sweetness gradually transforms into dry, leathery tobacco with a touch of oak. Sublime. Truly sublime. I appreciate aged peated whisky, especially Laphroaig, and I seize the opportunity to attend any tasting featuring such an expression. The character is vastly different from younger Laphroaig bottlings (which are enjoyable in their own right, of course). If you seek a powerful smoky experience, stick with Laphroaig aged 15 years or less, or any of the non-age-statement expressions, as with age this distillate evolves into something quite different (as is true for all smoky whiskies). From 15 years onward, it begins to change character significantly, so by the time you reach this 27-year-old, the signature smoke becomes a subtle background element that permeates the other facets of the whisky, allowing the fruity and gently spicy notes to take prominence. Allow this spirit time to aerate after pouring. Do not even consider tasting it until it has had at least 20 minutes in the glass; otherwise, you will be depriving yourself of a wonderful experience and wasting the whisky. Rushing this malt is a grave error. Do not add any water either – savor this neat in its full glory. "Outstanding": 91/100 (5 stars)

Please note: This review is what I'd classify as a "Quick Hit" – meaning it will lack my typical detailed observations. The reason for this is that I sampled this at Whiskyfest DC on 4/17/18. None of these reviews will have a score, and I fully intend to revisit them to provide a more thorough assessment. After my frustration and disappointment settled in because Laphroaig didn't bring the 25yo, 30yo, or the Cairdeas for VIP guests as promised, I decided to try the 27. I own bottles of the 25 and 30, and I was eager to sample them without opening my personal collection. That Laphroaig representative really let me down! Moving on to the 27 – the most recent bottling was released in the spring of 2017. It presented the characteristic Laphroaig smoky tar notes with a remarkably robust oak presence. A subtle hint of vanilla wafted in and out throughout the entire tasting experience. The finish was quite extended and somewhat dry, which is unusual for Laphroaig, as they are typically oily. It possessed some depth, but I'm uncertain if I require a full bottle, especially given the steep price of over $600. Enjoy.

Had a chance to sample this last night. It was rather enjoyable, and it had acquired some intriguing wood characteristics from aging, but this came at the cost of a significant amount of its Laphroaig character. The increase in refinement versus the loss of its core identity was, regrettably, not a positive trade. I would much prefer to acquire numerous bottles of Lore or Cairdeas over a single bottle of this – in my opinion, Lore is a more satisfying whiskey at a considerably lower cost, and I have genuinely enjoyed several Cairdeas editions more as well. Laphroaig is my foundational spirit preference; it does not require extensive aging, and it can achieve remarkable results with just moderate age and creative wood usage. It's Laphroaig – in my estimation, it cannot be bad, but this expression is approximately double the age it needs to be.

This is the kind of spirit I could happily just smell for an entire evening; it transports you to a wild coastline, with the air thick with sea salt and highland flora. The taste is almost secondary, but it's richer than the alcohol percentage implies, less intensely peaty than a young Laphroaig and sweeter too. It diminishes somewhat in the middle of the palate but concludes with a long, powerful, and sweet finish. I sampled only a small amount of this, thanks to a special offer for members of my preferred bar's whisky group, but it was sufficient to put me in a state of bliss for the night's main event, a performance by Kamasi Washington at The Apollo Theater. And so, I can reveal that the synergy of vintage Laphroaig and two and a half hours of transcendent live jazz is the secret to unlocking your inner vision.

From DC Whiskyfest 2018, this is review number three of twelve. My participation was limited to a dozen because I got sick that afternoon, impacting my head and stomach. I should have remained in the hotel, but I didn't spend $350 on VIP tickets just to taste my pillow! No ratings were assigned as it wouldn't be fair. Regrettably, this was the sole VIP pour out of the four promised by Laphroaig that appeared at Whiskyfest, which put us in a foul mood. On the nose, I detected creosote, peat, bourbon characteristics, and vanilla. It appeared aged and required time to open up. The taste was velvety, featuring peat and robust oak. It's difficult to say if this is a worthwhile purchase, but I imagine it has more value as a collector's item.

From an online spirits club pour Bourbon and Quarter Casks from the first floor of warehouse 1 Aroma: Smoke, Citrus, Caramel, Vanilla, Lime, Orange, White Chocolate, Tar, Mango, Pineapple, Pepper, Banana, Apple, Sourdough Bread, Mint, Eucalyptus, Nectarines, Peach, Kiwi, Cherries Taste: Peat, Iodine, Seaweed, Caramel, Oak, Dark Chocolate, Orange, Vanilla, Peach, Salt, Mango, Pineapple Finish: Smoke, Tar, Peat, Iodine, Vanilla, Caramel, Dried Fruit, Cherries, Eucalyptus, Grass, Pineapple Excellent spirit, surprisingly light and refreshing for a 27-year-old.