EP found a small sample bottle of a Laphroaig 10 in her home, and we finally got down to opening it to try. The level of liquid in the bottle appears to have receded a little. Perhaps screw caps aren't the best way to keep a bottle closed if you intend to keep it for long. This is an excellent addition to the series of peaters we're doing in the lead-up to year end.
The bottle and tube both lack the warrant of the Prince of Wales, which was granted in 1994 (see picture below). This is now standard in all Laphroaig bottlings. Hence, this bottle comes from pre-1994.
Other clues as to the dating of this bottle includes EP's mum's recollection that it was probably bought before EP was born, placing it pre-1992. Online searches show that the bottle design probably came from 1990s, for example at this auction site. The label also says "Islay Single Malt", instead of "Unblended Islay malt", like in some other years.
There's also an enigmatic number at the back of the label, which says "90 55". Is that the year and batch?
After narrowing down the provenance, next comes the tasting. Will it be good, great, or disappointing due to oxidation? The bottle was not kept in perfect conditions, being in a room that was exposed to both heat and air-conditioning. So...let's see.
Laphroaig 10 c.1990 (abv 43%)
Colour - Light gold
Nose - Take a deep breath. This is complex. Very layered for a ten year old. There's iodine, ash and peat in the first sniff. Yes, this is a Laphroaig alright. Notes of liquorice and almond. So that's the full set of usual pungent scents in a Laphroaig accounted for. Develops a slight meatiness seasoned with some parsley. There's a lot of sweet honey, oranges and unripe mangoes, giving it an acidic kick. Gentle spices, like cinnamon and cloves. Lots of them. This is a blockbuster of a nosing!!
Palate - Drying ashes, which gives way to lots of juiciness just before your mouth dries up. There's a big pear note that transits well into tannic notes. I'm thinking of grape seeds and orange pith. Lemon peel too. Mm. Lots of oils - Eucalyptus, I'd wager. Almond and hazelnut gives it a nutty depth. Reminds me of lemon schnapp! There's a touch of iron and copper running through the whisky. Malty background. Spicy, but not straightforward cinnamon and cloves this time. More like a spice combination you get in Indian dishes. A masala mix, with cumin and cardamon standing out.
Finish - Peaty, peppery, with slight hints of ginger. There's also some mint and eucalyptus - are we all koala bears now?
Overall - This is stellar. This is Laphroaig living up to its boast that it is the most richly flavoured Scotch. This is what earned its royal warrant. This is what weak bottles like "Laphroaig Select" cannot live up to. This is what Laphroaig can be, used to be, and it is bloody brilliant.
Next up in our peaty series is probably a Caol Ila bought at Whisky Live this year (which I had to miss due to a work trip overseas), chosen by PY. And then, probably a lightly peated Wolfburn, bought at last year's Whisky Live. Or should we do it the other way round?
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