The Data

Category   Whisky

Sub-Category   Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Origin   Islay

Retail Price   $74.99

ABV   51.6%

Score   5 Stars/Supreme!

In the Glass

Brilliant copper color.

The aromatics are both exotic and intense offering scents of sweet turf fire with blood orange, sea salt, baked apple, dried chili, anise seed, and nougat.

The palate fully concurs with the nose delivering a lush and vibrant fruit and peat mélange ideally framed by brown baking spices, oak, and citrus.

Being Laphroaig you know it's not going to be a wallflower. It's quite intense but wonderfully complex and perfectly balanced.

Cool Factor

This is a beautiful expression of the Laphroaig single malt and demonstrates both raw and refined notes that have defined the Laphroaig house style for centuries.

Value Grade

It's not on the bargain hunter's radar but that's okay as it is a unique and beautiful expression from one of Islay's iconic distillers and it's absolutely a fair asking price.

Analysis

Cairdeas (friendship) is a wonderful part of the Laphroaig family. The 2016 edition is produced from their own floor maltings and distilled in their smaller stills then matured in their famous No. 1 warehouse that touches the sea. The Whisky is fully matured in ex-Bourbon casks and then rested in Madeira casks where they gain a complex fruity character. Master Distiller John Campbell has attempted to create a Whisky that best resembles the style of Whisky created at Laphroaig 200 years ago. It's wonderfully balanced and is a must have for any Islay Whisky lover.

How to Enjoy

This beauty is best enjoyed neat with a splash or two of water. Ice dulls the subtle high notes and mutes the complex spices so do resist a hearty ice addition.