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Laphroaig 25 Year Old

Smooth as Silk

0 692

@MaltActivistReview by @MaltActivist

22nd Apr 2013

0

Laphroaig 25 Year Old
  • Nose
    23
  • Taste
    23
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    23
  • Overall
    92

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

I'm generally a fan of anything Laphroaig and the distillery has never let me down in all these years, though, I've heard of a miscreant 15 year old that may taint an otherwise perfect track record. But let's cross that bridge when we get to it.

Right. The 25 year old 2011 Cask Strength. Possibly the most un-Laphroaig nose you will ever find. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. The iodine and peat is subdued; it's there but comes to you in gentle waves riding on a crest of sweet lemon citrus. The citrus is then enveloped in a fine spray of honey and sugarcane. This is possibly the most delicate of Laphroaig noses you will ever come across.

The lemon and honey are dominant on the palate but not before a burst of white pepper greets your tongue. The peat and smoke, as on the nose, play a supporting role as if to nudge you from time to time and let you know this is an Islay.

The finish is long, dry and spicy with a touch of oak and a smattering of nuts.

This is a lovely dram and does all the right things but the question remains; should Laphroaig be producing such delicate whiskies or focus on mouthfuls of iodine, peat and personality?

I'll let you decide.

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6 comments

R
Rigmorole commented

How does this compare with the 18 year? The 25 year is out of my budget range but the 18 is not. I think I tried the 18 one time but I can't remember for sure. If I did, then it didn't make much of an impression.

11 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@rigmorole The 18 is more classic Laphroaig than the 25 - it has more seaweed, iodine and stronger peat. But it shares the lemony sweetness with the 25. I suggest having another go at the 18. It is quite a fantastic dram.

11 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@rigmorole it's also a touch drier with a feel of husk finish

11 years ago 0

@yori
yori commented

I haven't tried the 18. The 25 was very good and smooth, but far from a classic Laphroaig - not enough peat and smoke for me. I found the 2012 Cairdeas Origin much more to my liking at a fraction of the price, with the lemony citrus notes added to the classic Laph profile, and very smooth. I'll choose it over the 25 regardless of price!

11 years ago 0

i
indynoir commented

This was one I just couldn't get at all. Maybe I was expecting Laphroaig and it's not as you point at. Maybe I was expecting something so great considering the obscene price tag, but it was the biggest let down I've ever experienced drinking scotch and I'm usually pretty easy...like almost everything, and tend to rate higher than others. Possibly this was an inferior bottle as I felt it was average at best...82-85, remember it tasting flat, somewhat lifeless.

9 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@indynoir I'm not sure which batch you tried. My review is on the 2011 bottle and at 48.6% the cask strength version. I thought it was quite special even if it didn't have all the classic Laphroaig flavors.

9 years ago 0