45,8°
Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay
American Oak Ex-Bourbon Casks, European Oak Ex-Sherry Hogsheads and Butts
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2024
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Peated around 43 ppm
Occasionally, the distillery releases a 30-year-old whisky, always as a limited edition. This might be to pay tribute to Ian Hunter, or to celebrate an anniversary. In 2024, two 30-year-old whiskies were released, including this one, which does not commemorate any particular event or person. It is simply a 30-year-old, slightly diluted, resulting from a blend of European sherry casks and American bourbon casks. It was intended to be an annual release, but there has been no news of a new batch in 2025, nor this year. Perhaps not enough were sold. There were 10,500 bottles available for sale.
Let's Taste It :
The balance is magnificent, with, on the one hand, skilfully measured coastal notes, a very subtle medicinal touch, fresh iodine, and, on the other, juicy citrus fruits, a chalky smokiness, a faint hint of vanilla. On closer inspection, one detects vegetal notes, parsley, thyme, a spoonful of lard. Salt and icing sugar. A few tropical fruits emerge, mango, papaya. On the palate, it is also perfectly balanced, white grape, rich minerality, peat permeating the fruit, orange and grapefruit, light spices. A very long finish, slowly taking over everything, noble varnished wood, a zest of lime, a full ashtray, burnt tyre, liquorice and dark chocolate, freshly ground coffee beans. Dark tobacco, tar. Hazelnuts.
In Short,
It’s truly superb, as one might expect, though the exotic fruit notes are a little subdued, and it lacks the depth and complexity of the 25-year-old – at least the ones I’ve tasted. I can see why it hasn’t been as successful as hoped, it isn’t quite as good as one might have expected. It is, however, a sublime bottling, very well-balanced, though perhaps lacking a little character, except on the finish. Buying it is obviously a significant investment, so it might be best to think twice.
Score : 90
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Go Kurosawa - Moon, Please
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