Review #115: Laphroaig 20yr 1990/2010, 52.8% abv, The Nectar of the Daily Drams

and let's keep going with Laphroaig

Here's an older one, don't know much about it. No idea what to expect.

Nose: somewhat subtle, actually. a black, oily peat with rubber tires and lots of smaller wildflower and vegetal notes. Very faintly: toasted muesli with yoghurt and bits of orchard fruit. If you give it a long time to open up, there's a plummy meatiness, too. Like memories of a breakfast that was set on fire.

Palate: much less subtle. Oily and mouth-filling smoke, tempered by a plummy sweetness.

Finish: the peat still burns, but there's suddenly a lot of licorice, and peaches and plums and a little custard shine through. Becomes a little salty and seaweedy at the end.


This is all curiously subtle for Laphroaig -- it really demands a lot of attention, which is not how I think of Laphroaig. But the attention is well repaid, at least. Nice stuff.


score: 89