Williamson 2012 Single Cask Collection Foundations 12 yo

 

 

 

59°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay 

Bourbon Hogshead 

Independent Bottling 

By Berry Bros. & Rudd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm 

Bessie Williamson is the only woman to have run a distillery in the 20th century in Scotland. And that, of course, was Laphroaig. In her honour, some independent bottlings are named Williamson, on the pretext of keeping the name of the real distillery a secret, but everyone knows, apart from a few newbies, that Williamson is Laphroaig. In general, Williamsons are rather young, but this one is nonetheless 12 years old, it grew up in a Bourbon Hogshead, and 278 bottles were crafted. It was selected by La Maison du Whisky to be part of the Collection Foundations, and reserved in priority to the French market. 

Let's Taste It : 

A pure Laphroaig in all its splendour, powerful peat full of gravel, coal nuggets, dizzying smoke bursting with iodine, sea spray and nails, patches of tar, sticky fuel oil, and pronounced medicinal notes. In the background, white fruit, grapes, plums, bananas. Lemon pulp. Nice balance. The palate brings out the fruit, which is quite sweet despite the pungent peat, pepper and cloves, metallic and mineral sparkles, a very slight dash of vanilla. Limestone, quartz, tin. Powerful finish, like a tidal wave of charcoal and metallic rubble, concrete, on a beach whipped up by the sea breeze, greenish foam, with a few herbaceous touches behind, aniseed, honeysuckle, ginger. Crushed chestnuts.

 

In Short, 

This should be reserved for lovers of heavy peat and fans of Laphroaig, but it reaches a level of excellence rarely achieved with a 12-year-old. The balance is there, between the distinctive Laphroaig aromas and the lovely iodine and fruit notes. The peat and gravel still have the upper hand. But the nuances are subtle and the flavours deep. For me, it's a must-have, even if the price is quite high, but I was able to find it on special offer.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                          Darkher - Lowly Weep