The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is one of the largest independent bottlers in the world. You have to become a member, but once you do, they have a lot of bottlings available to you. I’m not a member simply because I feel there’s plenty of whisky out there to choose from already, without adding the dozens of yearly releases from the SMWS.
I tasted this Laphroaig during the blind tasting of the Dutch whisky forum.
Laphroaig 1997/2015 (52,9%, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, C#29.163)
Nose: Fairly subtle peat, with some added wood smoke, but the lovely light citrus fruits (oranges, lemon) are the elements that stand out for me. It’s creamy, like lemon yoghurt.
Palate: First sip is a bit acidic. But from the second sip on it shows its true colors. There’s ash and fairly salty licorice, but still also fruity (yellow and sweet), plus there’s some vanilla. And it is pretty gentle. In this case that is also a nice way of saying it lacks some body. While it noses creamy, the palate sadly isn’t.
Finish: Salt and brine. Wouldn’t mind if it had been a bit longer.
Rating: 86
A subtle and fairly fruity Laphroaig. The palate does lack something though. Could do with some more richness.
Photo: Matthijs Hakfoort