Laphroaig 1999, 7 years old, cask strength, Bottled by Signatory for Binny's Beverage Depot, 58% alcohol ($44).

Binny's Beverage Depot is a major Chicago-based liquor store which does a big internet business (and they ship to California). This bottle was a special bottling for Binny's by well known independent bottler Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Company, which goes for around $44.

This bottling interested me for a couple of reasons. First, you don't see that many Laphroaigs by independent bottlers in the US, though they are apparently quite common in the UK. Second, I have never tasted a Laphroaig younger than the standard 10 year old.

The 7 year old tasted exactly as you would guess if you're a regular Laphroaiger. It's a younger, brasher version of the elder. As soon as you smell it, and definitely when you taste it, you think, oh yeah, this is Laphroaig all right. It has all of the medicinal flavors ("iodine, seaweed and phenols" for the Scotch snobs out there) that are classic Laphroaig. Of all the peat monsters out there, Laphroaig differentiates itself by these strong medicinal flavors, and this malt has them in a bolder, more intense way.

This wasn't my favorite of the young malts, but I really enjoyed it, and if you are a Laphroaig lover, this is a must-have bottle for you at a good price.

Sku's (Not So) Recent Drinks

Sku eats, drinks and is merry in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles and beyond.