Laphroaig 40yo, 1960-2001, 1478/3300, 42.4% abv.

Interestingly, 2 versions of the 40 year old came out in 1960.

Nose: fruit bouquet with a protagonist of fresh cherries, sidekicks of light vegetables, light wood, with time it seems to become more buttery, a well formed attack on the nose that isn't over or underwhelming, has light aromas, and stays on message. It's one of those noses where the aromas get better with time, but it actually doesn't change. Inception moment.

Palate: initial palate is sweet, slightly fruity, strawberries and cherries, mid palate has the peat and smoke develop quite quickly too, a little salty, lightly smoked bacon, proscuitto and similary cured pork, back palate is peated wood, dying coals, a sweet sugar and fruit undertone. Gets a little complex with time as the flavor mixes faster and more intensely, like a waterfall tide of light fruit and light peat smoke.

Finish: long, all encompassing berries, apples, and stone fruits, light smoke, interestingly the effects seem to end before that actual experience finishes, it basically becomes a buttery, wine-like, warm juice at the end. Very similar to an OB Port Ellen experinece, but not as overwhelming.

A truly amazing Scotch. Superb. Although perhaps delictae, it is well done. How did Laphroaig do this? The fruit and smoke balance out, allowing the taster to appreciate all aspects. Texture was simple and became more oily, flavors became more apparent with time, but mixed quite quickly. Truly amazing combination of the lighter fruits and peat smoke, although it's more light smoke than peat. After 40 some years there is still peat smoke. I actually didn't eat or drink anything for an extended period of time just to enjoy the finish. Simply amazing.

Grade: A

Whiskyfun.com, Serge, sgp:555, 93 points
Malt maniacs, 90 points on 12 reviews
Scotchwhisky, Angus MacRaild, 93 points
Divingforpearls, Michael Kravitz, 93
Lawhiskeysociety, B+ from 4 reviews

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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