Laphroaig 25 yo Cask Strength Edition 2020

 

 

 

49,8°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay 

American Oak Bourbon Barrels and 2nd Fill Oloroso Sherry Butts

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Since 2008, the distillery has been offering a Batch of this 25-year-old cask strength almost every year. It seems that in 2010 there was none, otherwise all the other years, we were served. This batch is therefore the 12th, aged approximately half in Oloroso Sherry casks and the other half in Bourbon barrels. This is the most commonly practiced maturation for this 25 year old, only in 2008 the whisky was fully aged in Sherry casks. Previously, until 2007, there was a 25 year old, but it was bottled at 40°. It is not known how many bottles were produced.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Very dark sherry, which blends well with old wood, damp charcoal and spongy humus. It's very full-bodied, with the hallmarks of the distillery very present, soot, a medicinal touch, used bandages, betadine, nails, fuel oil, motor oil. But this doesn't mask the tropical fruits, passion fruit, papaya, banana, all very pulpy. Iodine, salted mango. Yellow apples. Excellent palate, still fruity, with a nice dollop of earthy, mineral peat. Sediments. A hint of vanilla. Well-managed spices, ginger, paprika, nutmeg. Long, very salty finish, lignite blocks, heather, ferns, damp undergrowth. A touch of coffee. Butterflies on the throat. It's fairly quiet though.

 

In Short, 

When you have a 25 year old whisky, normally it has softened with age. It becomes nuanced, subtle, but less powerful. This is not really the case here. Admittedly, the finish is smooth, but the nose is really intense. This does not rule out subtlety. That's why I find this beautiful thing very successful. We still have the strength of youth, and already the advantages of maturity. It is a complete whisky. I liked it a lot, but obviously any purchase is outside my jurisdiction, I can't afford it. Too shame.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Dead Can Dance - Yulunga