Laphroaig 18 years announced

Laphroaig 18 years OBThe Laphroaig 15y is considered to be one of the most controversial bottlings in the current range of Laphroaig, and it will be replaced in a couple of weeks. The 15 year old introduced a new style of rounder, more mellow Laphroaig, but recent batches returned to a bolder style, closer to the standard 10y which itself got smoother if you compare it to batches from the 1990’s.

The Laphroaig 18y will be bottled at a higher strength of 48% alcohol (the same as the Laphroaig Quarter Cask). I’m sure this is a good thing, as it indicates Laphroaig is moving towards a more powerful, intense profile.

The price will remain more or less the same (pretty uncommon considering the 3 additional years and today’s pricing strategies).

Here’s the official tasting notes:

Nose:  sweet toffee, faintly spicy, traces of delicate phenols and fruit.  Overall smoothness. With water: seaweed and salt but not enough to overpower the vanilla and honey sweetness. A trace of new mown hay and peat at the finish.

Body:  Exceptionally balanced and warming with intense depth. Warming smoke, smooth floral scents, oaky nuttiness. Sweetness on the taste. With water: peaty warmth with a sweet chocolate smoothness. This is balanced by rich toffee and a hint of heather and peat smoke.

Finish:   Full bodied, long with a luxurious oily smoothness.

Some extra information and tasting notes by Tim at TWE blog.