Review by: ZoidbergOnTheRocks
15 year old Laphroaig has come and gone a couple of times now. I have one from near the end of the original run and the 200th anniversary special release to compare to it. Is it “older is better” or did they nail it for their anniversary? Let’s find out. Tasted on 9/27/2020, neat in a Glencairn.
The is the older Laphroaig 15 which ran until about 2009 when it was replaced with the 18yr. This particular bottle is from 2007. Bottled at just 43%, no info on color or filtering, but I think we can assume both.
Distillery: Laphroaig
Bottler: Distillery Bottling
Region: Scotland, Islay
ABV: 43.0%
Age: 15 years old. Bottled in 2007.
Nose: tropical fruits, peat smoke, oak, some lemon, seaweed, lightly medicinal, pepper, caramel, vanilla, liquorice, honestly it smells fairly hot.
Taste: smoke, peat, very light pepper, oak, fruity, a little sweet, some seawater, iodine, thin mouthfeel.
Finish: earthy peat smoke, pepper, tropical fruits, lightly medicinal and coastal, some sweetness, a little short actually, fairly oaky on the end.
More subtle than your average Laphroaig. I’m having trouble finding that burning hospital, the smoke is more subdued, and it’s got some surprisingly oaky notes throughout. Feels hotter than 43%, especially on the nose. It’s a nice contrast to the standard 10, certainly more developed and complex than the 10. I’m surprised by the shortness of finish and the oaky notes I get off of it; I would have guessed much younger than 15 years blind.
I bet I would have been happier with it if I wasn’t tasting the other 15 right next to this. I suspect I’d have scored it a smidge higher by itself.
Final Score: 82.
Laphroaig 15 Year 200th Anniversary
This is the Laphroaig 15yr released for their 200th anniversary in 2015, bottled at 43%. I think we all thought it would stick around again given they had just ditched the 18, but sadly no. I’ve heard a few good comments on this one, so I’m looking forward to it. I got this bottle very recently and this is the first dram from it.
Distillery: Laphroaig
Bottler: Distillery Bottling
Region: Scotland, Islay
ABV: 43.0%
Age: 15 years old. Bottled in 2015.
One of 72,000 bottles.
Nose: peat smoke, tropical fruits, seaweed, medicinal, bandaids, camphor, walnuts, ginger.
Taste: rich earthy smoke, peat, seawater, medicinal w/ some burning bandaids, a little pepper, some tropical sweetness throughout, thin-to-medium mouthfeel.
Finish: earthy peat smoke, seawater, every so slightly dry, some fruity sweetness, light pepper, medium length, very good.
The smoke on the palate and finish is big, earthy, and rich. Feels more “typically Laphroaig” to me. More subtle and complex than the 10 for sure, we’re closer to the 18 here. Decently complex, good balance, excellent finish. This was a worthy 200th anniversary bottling. Well done indeed. I kinda wish I had another to squirrel away.
Final Score: 87.
Comparison
Order: 200th Anniversary > 2007
The newer one is better than the older 15: richer, more earthy, slightly better mouthfeel, longer finish, no odd oaky notes mixed in, and a better nose.
I think a really interesting question is: where does the 10 CS I just reviewed fit in here? I’m sure it’s better than the 2007 15. I’d have to put it side-by-side with the newer 15 to be sure, but I’d bet the newer 15 wins.
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 