Laphroaig casks from the #7002xx range have popped up from different bottlers already: Berry Bros, Blackadder, James McArthur, Malts of Scotland, Wilson & Morgan… Now the Archives series presents 80 bottles of this Laphroaig 1998 cask #700228.

Laphroaig 13 yo 1998 (54,2%, Archives 2012, bourbon hogshead #700228, 80 btl.)

Nose: pretty sharp with some invading antiseptics, seashells and ashes. Camphor and soot. Canvas. Big notes of lemon. Peated barley. A few vegetal touches as well: ferns and wet leaves. In the end it becomes a tad more rounded. Mouth: a slightly tangy attack but very much to the point. Laphroaig means peat, brine and ashes and that’s what it delivers. Hints of liquorice and gentian. Medicinal notes and a little tar. Pepper. Finish: long and warming with more classic peat, tar and pepper.

The equivalent of a Fisherman’s Friend. A strong and quite medicinal Laphroaig, not too wide but nicely focused on the things that peatheads love most. Around € 70, available from the Whiskybase store.

Score: 87/100