Laphroaig is one of the most popular, not to mention best-selling, peated single malts in the world. You can find this Islay distillery’s 10-year-old expression at virtually every bar, restaurant, and liquor store around the country, because people seem to love this whisky for its aggressively smoky character. The distillery just announced the addition of an older 15-year-old expression to its lineup as a permanent release, the first time in a decade that this age statement has been widely available here in the U.S.
Laphroaig‘s reputation is built on the success of its core 10-year-old whisky, which is aged in bourbon barrels, but the distillery has a lot more than that to offer. There are other age statements, of course, including whiskies aged for 18 and 30 years, and even longer than that for some limited releases. There’s also a version of the 10-year-old that was finished in sherry casks, a cask-strength version of the 10, and the annual Cairdeas release which differs with every expression in terms of makeup and maturation (and has become a collector’s favorite).
The 15-year-old was first released in 1985, and made a limited appearance a decade ago to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary. Its return as a permanent addition rounds out the core range midway between the 10 and the 18. Like those whiskies it was aged in bourbon barrels, but those extra five years give it softer, richer, oakier notes while not sacrificing any of the smoke that you know and expect from Laphroaig. Look for notes of black pepper, vanilla, citrus, and maple over an assertive, smoky base made up of flavors like iodine, seaweed, campfire, and licorice, and just a touch of heat on the finish at 46 percent ABV.
The release coincides with the 15th anniversary of Women Who Whiskey, a whiskey club that is meant to appeal beyond the typically male-based audience that many brands cater to. Laphroaig partnered with the club on this release and will hold private tastings at cities around the country in the coming weeks to celebrate the launch. “Fifteen years ago, Women Who Whiskey was born from the idea that enjoying whiskey is more fun when everyone has a seat at the table,” said Women Who Whiskey founder and principal Julia Ritz Toffoli in a statement. “It’s incredibly special to celebrate our 15-year anniversary alongside the return of the Laphroaig 15-Year-Old, a whisky that represents the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation. For us, learning from the traditions that came before us while remaining curious enough to challenge them is at the heart of whiskey clubs like ours.”
Laphroaig 15-Year-Old is available now at liquor stores around the country and websites like ReserveBar (SRP $90).
Authors
Jonah Flicker
