A Collector’s Must-Have and a Legendary Bottler’s Swansong
2005 Laphroaig 13 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Unchillfiltered Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($159.99)
“It’s truly a stupendous find and going to be one of those casks that people remember for years to come.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L SoCal Spirits Buyer
Chieftan’s has been a cornerstone bottler for our spirits program for many years now, supplying us (and you) with some of the rarest, most incredible single casks we’ve come across. After recently announcing the end of their single malt program, this iconic Scottish brand broke many a whisky fanatic’s heart. But the silver lining in this great disappointment was our opportunity to snap up a number of thrilling single casks from their remaining stock. There were some heavy hitters in the group, but the under-the-radar stunner of the lineup seems to be this utterly captivating 2005 Laphroaig 13 Year Old Cask Strength. Aged in an active sherry butt and bottled at full cask strength, this is classic Laphroaig driven by the intense peat profile that fans of this delightful distillery have come to know and love. The rarity and collectible value of this bottling cannot be overstated—Laphroaig simply does not sell excess production anymore, and when a cask has shown up on the market in the past few years, the pricetag is often absurd. This whisky at this price is a cause for celebration, but it won’t last long at all. These final casks of the Chieftan’s single malt line are disappearing fast, perhaps none more so than the 2005 Laphroaig 13 Year Old Cask Strength. Simply put, it’s a must-have, and no serious whisky collection is complete without it.
2005 Laphroaig 13 Year Old “Chieftain’s” K&L Exclusive Single Sherry Butt Cask Strength Unchillfiltered Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml) ($159.99)
The magical distillery on the south shore of Islay, like all south shore distillers, is quite unlike any other. But Laphroaig has a certain place in the hearts of the hardest core peat lovers. They’re the last distiller down there to malt a portion of their barley on site. Their complex system of tiny stills create the most peculiar and enticing peated spirit in the world. The quality and consistency of their casks is second to none. But over the last decade, what was once a staple in the independent bottling repertoire has completely disappeared. Laphroaig is simply not selling casks any longer. And when we do find casks they’re usually in very inactive hogsheads and declassified to their trade name, “Williamson.” Now that’s not a huge problem because Laphroaig always tastes good, but since bottlers can’t replace even those few casks the prices have gone absolutely bonkers. Signatory recently bottled a sister cask to those we sold here just three years ago for $200, Laphroaig from the Fall of 1997, for $700. And by God those bottles sell. But here we have a beautiful butt for a not completely abhorrent price, and we jumped all over it. Thank the Lord of the Isles that we did, as it’s a complete and utter masterpiece. Some purists eschew the idea of Laphroaig in active sherry, but much of the experience is limited to low proof distillery bottlings and finishes. However, this is truly a stupendous find and is going to be one of those casks that people remember for years to come. Collectors and drinkers alike take note.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 23, 2019
Every so often time stops, a dizzying array of pieces fall into place, and you’re left with one special moment. Such is drinking this masterpiece. Tragically, Chieftain’s is going away. One of the most storied and high quality bottlers in Scotland has pulled out all of the stops for its swan song. Aged to perfection, this cask toes the line perfectly between every facet of Laphroaig. It’s equally salty, malty, fruity, floral, and smoky in that amazing way that only Laphroaig can be. In addition there is a splendid cigar box spice provided by an amazing barrel of the highest quality and perfectly matched to the whisky. Not overpowering, it is just robust enough to blend seamlessly with everything on offer from the spirit. My best Laphroaig drinking experience was having John Campbell, the distillery manager, walk me through the classic 10 year, a single cask bourbon barrel roughly 14 years old, and the legendary 30 year. The insights those 3 carefully chosen whiskies provided into the soul of Laphroaig is something I will never forget. It set off a personal and more indepth study of the whisky behind the smoke and iodine that the distillery is so famous for. This one cask highlights the traits that make the the malt from this special place so complete and such a rarity in the flavor spectrum without giving up that core profile. Tasting this malt and then going back to Laphraoig 10 will forever unlock for the drinker the often overlooked and underappreciated glory of the classic expression.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 07, 2019
Laphroaig is one of those incredible things that is both polarizing and unifying, sometimes between the same people at the same exact time. I personally adore almost everything I taste from this special distillery. Yes there are some underwhelming distillery bottlings that might feel a bit over manipulated, but the whisky is never ever bad. The great heights that can be achieved by Laphroaig are truly unbelievable. And uniquely, some of the very best from this special distillery are not even very old. The very best Laphroaig I’ve ever had the great pleasure of tasting are no more than 10 years old, given they’d have been distilled 40 or 50 years ago, but the fact remains that Laphroaig is often more special in its youth. For years Laphroaig has felt like a bit of a secret that you weren’t sure you wanted to share with everyone you know. Particularly that was true of the special single casks that we’d come across in warehouses and whisky shops throughout Scotland. But in the current climate, where the distillery itself has no need or use for trading or brokering excess production, what was once a special secret to find and share is now an endangered species completely. So when we get offered casks like this we expect them to be unfathomably expensive. But even if this were twice the price I’d still have bought it. This is that perfectly idiosyncratic Laphroaig, apt to have you disagreeing with yourself. Deep wafting peat, a mix of bitter herbs, salty ocean trawler, candied apricots and diesel engine. Old leather furniture, Seville oranges, not quite tropical, but not so severe as it might be. On the palate a building sweetness envelopes the powerful smoke as it wafts toward the olfactory system. Dark chocolate, salted plums, menthol and magic. A total dream and a secret that deserves to be kept.
Stefanie Juelsgaard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 23, 2019
Laphroaig very infrequently releases anything new, let alone a single cask of something new. Fans of the classic Laphroaig style will not be disappointed here, but will also be pleased to find new tastes and expressions. Rich texture and creamy peat notes get a kick from a slight jalapeno pepper spice in the back. This extremely limited and special release could retail for much higher given its scarcity. Lucky for us it doesn’t.
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 18, 2019
Since barrels of single malt age differently and produce a range of flavors it is always a treat to taste something and see the variation on a theme from the regular releases. This tasty barrel is very interesting and fantastic. The nose has a burst of smoke that is almost pretty (a word not usually associated with Laphroaig) with toasty undertones. In the mouth it is classic Laphroaig with smoke, iodine, salt and malt. With water it opens up and becomes softer. There is a long finish with an interesting touch of spice. This single barrel is unique and interesting.
Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 15, 2019
If my family drank, this is a bottle I’d take with me to our holiday dinners. This bottle screams autumn with notes of ume plum, burnt caramel, oak spice, and cinnamon graham crackers on the nose. The palate is fatty, savory, and sweet and I can imagine it going perfectly with turkey and stuffing. It’s warm and inviting. I just want to cuddle up with it next to a fire and look longingly at the glass.
