59,6°
Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay
Bourbon Casks
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Bottled in 2024
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Peated around 43 ppm
Laphroaig started the Elements series in 2023, with the idea of experimenting and bottling. Here, it's the fermentation time that's changed. Instead of using the distillery's usual fermentation time of 55 hours, the lab assistants went up to 115 hours, which is a very long time, and this in exceptionally aerated conditions. The mashing was carried out under totally traditional conditions. The rest is classic, aged entirely in Bourbon casks, with no mention of age, in order to highlight the only difference, the duration of fermentation. The result was named Whisky of the Year by the Whisky Advocate.
Let's Taste It :
It's immediately very fruity for a Laphroaig, with baked apples, pomegranate, red berries, braised vanilla and plums of all kinds. It's all wrapped up in a lovely fresh iodine, sea spray and foam, and a bewitching smoke that lets the fruit and soft floral notes shine through. On the palate, crème brûlée, brioche, candied ginger, pineapple and grapefruit, virulent spices and a good layer of herbaceous peat. The finish is fairly long, with caramel and coffee mingling with orange marmalade, honeyed walnuts, and again discreet coastal flavours, kelp and a pinch of salt.
In Short,
It's very interesting, there's a lot of fruit, and it doesn't detract from the distillery's atypical profile, except perhaps for the medicinal touch. The blend is well done, with a certain balance. On the palate, however, I found it a little light, no doubt the hallmark of a whisky that is still too young. On the whole, I liked it, but I think it's too expensive. I'm well aware that you have to pay for experimentation, but Kilchoman does the same kind of weirdness, and it's much cheaper. That's why I'm asking these gentlemen to review their business plan, there's surely something to be done to optimise the price.
Score : 88
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Vioflesh - Within the Veil
No comments:
Post a Comment