Whisky Review: Laphroaig 14 Years Old 2000 Old Malt Cask

• Category: Islay single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Laphroaig Distillery
• Bottling: Hunter Laing, Old Malt Cask, Cask #10432
• ABV: 50%
• Cost: £70

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.

Official  tasting notes:

• 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.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: 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 cocoa 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.

Score 86/100

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