Right here’s one of many brand-new Decadent Drinks releases: Laphroaig 1998. It’s a marriage of two refill barrels, which were mixed in a third fill European oak sherry hogshead for over two years and bottled at pure cask power.
Now 1998 has at all times been a good classic for Laphroaig, however they’re turning into onerous to search out available on the market.
Laphroaig 26 yo 1998 (57%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2025, refill sherry hogshead, 212 btl.)
Nostril: very advanced. It begins on walnuts and mustardy hints, with refined iodine, bandages and antiseptics. Mint leaves, wooly notes and seawater. Later it turns into more and more extra fruity, on mango and nectarine, pink grapefruit and kaffir lime. Delicate bonfire smoke, a salty tang and moist materials too, in addition to some refined roundness of honey and vanilla.
Mouth: luxurious, oily and vibrant. It’s very similar to these undisclosed Islay whiskies, although maybe a bit extra intense. A whole lot of iodine, peppermint, inexperienced pepper and seawater. Peppery peat and hints of engine oil. All this combined with very good fruits, like peaches, lime and mango, together with a bit vanilla. Some lemon balm and sharper rhubarb. Then again to TCP, brine and peppermint. Delicate natural notes and grease.
End: lengthy, on candy peat, with a bitter fruity contact and salty parts. Extra of this peppery chew ultimately.
Kind of a Port Ellen with extra fruits, what’s to not like? These two bourbon barrels should have been actually good already, however the thought to marry them in an outdated sherry cask might have been the sensible last step. Total completely Laphroaig – good to have that title on the label as nicely. The very best new launch I’ve had this 12 months. Obtainable from Decadent Drinks after all, or from The Whisky Alternate and Royal Mile Whiskies amongst others.
