Laphroaig 33 Year The Ian Hunter Story Book 3

To conclude my Laphroaig series, here's a sample of their 33-year The Ian Hunter Story Book 3, bottled at 49.9% abv. The nose is bold, velvety, and rich, beginning with a blend of candied bacon, mango purée, mild florals, and dusty leather-bound books, followed by dark chocolate-covered sea salt butterscotch caramels, almond croissants, and freshly lit pipe tobacco, then caramelized peaches, guava, and kiwi, transitioning to mild baking spices and antique polished furniture with a moderate ethanol burn. The taste has a medium mouthfeel, starting with creamy tropical fruits before a mild spice that quickly gives way to blonde espresso, lemongrass, and leather-bound books, then dark chocolate-covered dehydrated pineapple, almond macarons, seaside rocky minerality, and freshly lit pipe tobacco, followed by caramelized mangos, guava, and kiwi, transitioning to mild baking spices and antique polished mahogany furniture with a moderate ethanol burn. The finish is medium length, starting with sweet caramelized tropical fruits and butterscotch crème brûlée that recedes into a background of faint smoked meats, guava, pipe tobacco, mild ocean brine, dusty leather-bound books, and antique polished mahogany furniture. What a dram to end this series with! Those 33 years in ex-bourbon casks have softened the dominant heavy peat smoke notes into subtle light smoky meats that are present but now in the background of rich tropical fruits, along with musty old oak, mild spices, and sea salt, all working in harmony to create a stunning and masterfully crafted experience. Overall, this is the finest of the series for me, taking the top spot from the 15-year 200th Anniversary, but it doesn't quite achieve perfection as the flavors on the palate aren't as robust as the nose suggested, and the finish dissipates faster than I had hoped. At a price exceeding $1200, this is one I'd suggest trying as a sample or a bar pour well before committing to a full bottle purchase, though it's certainly a dram I doubt any whisky enthusiast wouldn't find captivating and memorable. Final ratings for the series: 10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75 10-year sherry oak finish- 4.0 Lore- 4.0 2019 Caidreas Triple Wood- 3.75 2020 Caidreas Port and Wine - 3.75 2021 Caidreas PX - 4.0 15-year 200th Anniversary- 4.5 16-year- 4.0 TWB “It’s been a long way” 15-year IB- 3.25 15-year by The Character of Islay Release #11693- 4.0 25-year (2021)- 4.0 33-year The Ian Hunter Story Book 3- 4.5

This is the finest Islay expression I've ever encountered. Unmistakably Laphroaig—iodine and bandaids, counterbalanced by tropical sweetness—yet it displays its age gracefully, like Susan Sarandon. The nose offers heather honey, toffee, sea-salted crackers, and shortbread, alongside a potent blast of campfire smoke and petrichor. Laphroaig's characteristically intense peatiness is softened into a smooth, briny, and earthy palate entry, with hints of a peculiar sweetness. The mid-palate unfolds as a spectrum of guava, salted dark chocolate, licorice, and overripe mango, with a savory smokiness providing equilibrium. The finish is where this whiskey truly excels: bright key-lime and curaçao emerge swiftly and boldly; cacao and saltiness endure; you are compelled to take another sip and rediscover it. It's as close to flawless as I've been privileged to experience.

Initially, I detect custard and licorice on the nose, but it becomes fruitier and mellower as it sits. Just a hint of sea air with some salted caramel. One of the best aromas I've had the pleasure of experiencing in any spirit. The palate is syrupy, fruity, with a touch of seaweed, some creme brulee, baklava, and a hint of smoke. There's a slight grassiness that mostly disappears with air, and it improves as it breathes. I'd likely score this around 96 out of 100 - it might not be the absolute best possible, but it met or exceeded my very high expectations. I had the option of choosing Book 4 instead, but opted for this one as I was concerned a sherry finish might mask the character of a 33-year-old Laphroaig, and I believe it was the correct decision.

Laphroaig's elegance without the peat.