2010 Williamson (Laphroaig) 12 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Sherry Butt Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) ($109.99)

K&L Notes: This exceptional single cask was sold to this bottler as the “Williamson” blended malt and therefore cannot include the source on the label. But we have no problem telling you that this excellent whisky was distilled on the famous little stills located just outside the little seaside town of Port Ellen. Adorned in the throwback label, the Thompson Brothers are clearly giving the old “nudge nudge, wink wink” to the famous old bottling from nearly a century ago, with block letters and cursive writing. Filled into a used sherry butt in 2010, this excellent cask was transferred to Dornoch and bottled at a cool 100 proof without the use of coloring or chill-filtration. This is meaty old-school Laphroaig with big herbal notes and wild tropical fruit aromas balancing the savory smoke and oceanic zestiness. An absolute treat for lovers of quality peat.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Spirits Buyer | Review Date: October 18, 2023

This badass barrel of Laphroaig has it all. I’m sort of grateful we can’t sell it as single malt because at this price it likely would have all sold out on pre-arrival and I just love selling this bottle. The labels are fashioned after the old style of Laphroaig labels, and indeed this has so little to do with what is going on with modern Laphroaig bottlings that it’s almost laughable. This is gorgeous, rugged, oceanic Laphroaig of the highest order. Here we go! The color is deep copper. The first nosing is big sulphur! Oh no!!! But wait, just a moment later that’s not sulphur, no no, it’s sizzling pancetta! It’s mesquite bacon and salted fruit. It’s big green fields of peat. It’s engine oil, sticky and greasy. It’s an old shipyard—old, brittle halyards and weather-beaten wooden hulls. It’s bitter barks and aged black tea. It’s frangipani and polished sandalwood. It’s a freshly rolled Galois hanging from your lips, match struck, but yet to be ignited. It’s burnt Seville orange peel being dipped into your Sazerac. It’s utterly drinkable and yet wildly challenging. One of the most exciting malts of the year in my humble opinion. They don’t make them like this at Laphroaig any longer. So I guess I like this a lot. Can you tell?

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