Here’s one of the brand-new Decadent Drinks releases: Laphroaig 1998. It is a marriage of two refill barrels, that have been combined in a 3rd fill European oak sherry hogshead for over two years and bottled at natural cask strength.
Now 1998 has always been a good vintage for Laphroaig, but they’re becoming hard to find on the market.
Laphroaig 26 yo 1998 (57%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2025, refill sherry hogshead, 212 btl.)
Nose: very complex. It starts on walnuts and mustardy hints, with subtle iodine, bandages and antiseptics. Mint leaves, wooly notes and seawater. Later it becomes increasingly more fruity, on mango and nectarine, pink grapefruit and kaffir lime. Subtle bonfire smoke, a salty tang and wet fabrics too, as well as some subtle roundness of honey and vanilla.
Mouth: sumptuous, oily and vibrant. It’s much like these undisclosed Islay whiskies, though perhaps a little more intense. A lot of iodine, peppermint, green pepper and seawater. Peppery peat and hints of engine oil. All this mixed with very nice fruits, like peaches, lime and mango, along with a little vanilla. Some lemon balm and sharper rhubarb. Then back to TCP, brine and peppermint. Subtle herbal notes and grease.
Finish: long, on sweet peat, with a sour fruity touch and salty elements. More of this peppery bite in the end.
More or less a Port Ellen with more fruits, what’s not to like? These two bourbon barrels must have been really good already, but the idea to marry them in an old sherry cask may have been the brilliant final step. Overall totally Laphroaig – nice to have that name on the label as well. The best new release I’ve had this year. Available from Decadent Drinks of course, or from The Whisky Exchange and Royal Mile Whiskies among others.