Laphroaig 14 Years Old 2000 Cask 10432 – Old Malt Cask ~50% (Hunter Laing & Co Ltd.)
50% ABV, £70 for 70cl
Score: 86/100
What they say:
Sherry butt-matured Laphroaig, bottled as part of Hunter Laing’s Old Malt Cask range. From April 2000 to April 2014, this single malt aged in Sherry butt #10432. Afterwards, the whisky was placed into 731 bottles. A rich, Sherried Islay which with the prerequisite peat notes throughout.
Nose: Initially sweet with vanilla, sultanas and raisins, and a slight peatiness.
Palate: Smooth and creamy with vanilla, peat, seaweed and sherry notes.
Finish: Long, lingering and dry, with peat smoke and oak.
What I say:
An independently bottled single cask Laphroaig, sherry matured and bottled at 14 years old. Bottled at 50% ABV as part of the Hunter Laing Old Malt Cask range – an excellent choice.
Colour:
Orange / amber gold
Nose:
Coal tar soap, strawberries and vanilla cream with a little iodine and seaweed
Taste:
Earthy, with a little sweet wood ash, spiced black pepper leads to cocoa and iodine plus strong black coffee with a generous swirl of cream, hints of fennel, clove and liquorice root develop
Finish:
Long, woody, spicy and herbal with hints of peaty smoke, like coca wrapped charcoal
Overall:
A lot of strong flavours in this sherry-influenced Laphroaig. This one stays on the sweet side of becoming bitter with plenty of savoury elements redolent of bbq and char-cooking. A great winter / fire-side or even Christmas Dram! One to keep you warm on a cold night.
