This limited edition Laphroaig 21 Year Old was distilled throughout 1993, then poured into first fill ex-bourbon barrels to age. Both kiln-dried and air-dried American oak barrels were used to reflect the subtle changes in flavour that occur with the changing seasons.
It is part of the 200th Anniversary releases and was first sold to Friends of Laphroaig members by ballot, but apparently that wasn’t a huge success. After the initial storm, it’s now available for anyone through the Laphroaig website.
Laphroaig 21 yo 1993
(48,4%, OB 2015, first-fill bourbon, for Friends of Laphroaig, 35 cl.)
Laphroaig 21 yo 1993Nose: as expected, a rather mild nose, with medium peat and rather discreet medicinal notes. It’s more on the bourbonny notes, with a fresh but subtle tropical fruitiness. Pineapple, melon and mango. Subtle spices, especially mint and cinnamon. Vanilla. Linseed oil. Hints of leather and plenty of seaweed.
Mouth: again a mature, smooth, fruity profile that most people may actually not immediately recognize as Laphroaig (after all, old versions are now very hard to come by). Maritime notes. Mango, apricots and fresh citrus. More peat smoke and oak spices than on the nose though, this is still clearly Laphroaig. Sweet liquorice, iodine, tar and ginger.
Finish: medium long, with honeyed ashes, a little sea salt and some dried seaweed notes.
Maybe not the sales success Laphroaig hoped for, probably due to a heavy price, but a great whisky nonetheless. Fruity, elegant, mature Laphroaig. Around € 130 (for a half bottle).
Score: 90/100