Laphroaig Indie Bottler week continues …..3/4……

Laphroaig 11year old (46%, Duthies, 2009)

Robert W. Duthie was the nephew of William Cadenhead and he ran the company after the passing of Mr. Cadenhead in 1904.  Cadenhead’s recently re-established the brand. Bottled at 46% without chill filtration or the addition of colouring (which as everybody knows is a good thing). 

The nose is medicinal, peated and there is also brine and some whiffs of toffee however this is muted. There are also some vague hints of fresh cut hay and green cereal grains (think of a head of barley but still green and right off the stalk in the field). After some time in the glass the peat reek starts to grow and crowd out the other aromas and it changes to more coal smoke. The taste is gentle at first but grows as the peat reek takes hold, there is also some good malt, some sweetness and some dark unsweetened chocolate that is all very nice. There is also some pepper and spice. After a short while it is all peat reek and malt. The finish is very long and peated with the dark bitter chocolate and the malt. The green notes now make an appearance as green malt however it does not detract and it is a great finish. The peated malt continues to grow on the finish over time….and after nearly 10 minutes is much like coal smoke malt…

A very well balanced dram that is consistent and delicious; a really good Laphroaig. Well done!

C$99

Score 87 Points