The Masterpieces are a special series from The Whisky Exchange with bottlings that are personally selected by the owner Sukhinder Singh. It is meant to represent the pinnacle of excellence.
This year’s release was a sherry matured Laphroaig 1996.
Laphroaig 20 yo 1996 (50,6%, The Whisky Exchange ‘Masterpieces’ 2016, PX cask, 516 btl.)
Laphroaig 20 yo 1996 (50,6%, The Whisky Exchange ‘Masterpieces’ 2016, PX cask, 516 btl.)Nose: huge sherry, really huge. It’s full of red berries, forest fruits jam, cherries in syrup, candied oranges and rum & raisins. Nicely juicy, with a dry layer behind it, more on chocolate, charcoal and tarry ropes than on actual peat smoke. Just a hint of new tires as well as something of raspberry vinegar.
Mouth: a lot of sherry again, a little on the sharp side. Raisins and dates, but with a salty touch, some tar, sour cherries and redcurrant. Pepper. It’s only in the aftertaste that it really moves towards deep smoke, tobacco and a chocolate-coated peatiness. Bitter oranges. Salted liquorice. A hint of pink grapefruit, but very much in the back.
Finish: long, on cherries and Turkish coffee, with smoky notes and liquorice.
It seems this has been a hit at the recent Maltstock event. Sherry and peat, with this level of intensity, gives fireworks indeed. It’s fruity and dry at the same time. Very good. Around € 235 – but sold out quickly after the TWE Whisky Show.
Score: 90/100