A Classic Islay Beauty Only From K&L – At An Amazing Price To Boot!
2000 Laphroaig 16 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky (750ml) ($89.99)
Laphroaig is one of the icons of Scotland, easily in the small canon of single malt first growths were there such a classification for whisky. For years, not only has its characteristic profile of peat, iodine, and smoke led many an adventurer to Islay and its maritime-influenced malts, the whiskies have long been some of the best values. Even the rarer and more limited releases from the distillery itself have been much more reasonable in price than what we’ve seen from other luxury-oriented brands.
This past year, while traveling to Glasgow in search of whisky, our buyers tracked down a classic example of what makes Laphroaig such a legend: a 16 year old, perfectly mature, textbook single cask of brilliance from the Islay stalwart. Keeping with the spirit of the whisky, we’ve managed to keep the price at a more than reasonable $89.99. For a cask strength single malt of this magnitude, it’s a steal of a deal. For fans of the distillery, it’s a can’t-miss opportunity.
This 16 year old single barrel, cask strength version of Laphroaig is simply classic across the board and having spent that time in a refill hogshead the wood influence is mellow and just enough to round out the edges. At 53.2% ABV, the proof is punchy enough to lift the peat smoke and elevate the phenolic notes, but this is still a whisky you can drink neat. It’s full of everything you love about Laphroaig without any of the gimmicky or marketing-related spins we see so often on the mass market today. There’s no cask finishing or special lost recipe here, just vintage medicinal Islay goodness. Sweet vanilla gives way to chimney soot, bonfire ash, and that quintessential Laphroaig smoke. The finish goes on for minutes, the potent distillery character sticking to the palate for as long as it can hang on. Considering the price we’re currently offering this for, you may want to buy two. This is a whisky you’ll want to come back to time and time again, and unfortunately older, reasonably-priced Islay whiskies at full proof aren’t so easy to come by these days. You can thank our direct relationship with Old Particular for this hot deal!
Jeffrey Jones | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 13, 2017
This is Laphroaig at its best. You get all of the smoke and lusty flavors that one expects from this world class distillery but it also has a tame and nice side to it. In the nose there are smoke and aromas of the sea, and with a little water, there is an added hint of sweetness. In the mouth it is big and pleasantly approachable with smoke, malt and salt some of the flavors present. Single cask offerings of Laphroaig are popular and sell out fast, so if you are interested buy sooner than later.
David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 12, 2017
The more the whisky market continues to eat itself (or drink in this case), the more difficult it comes to maintain and support classical standards of greatness. “We just don’t have enough of the good stuff anymore!” I hear customers exclaim. My personal favorite single malt of the last few years was the limited edition Laphroaig 15 year the distillery released a while back, a straight-shooting, right-down-the-middle expression of the iconic Laphroaig flavor. No port finishing, no quarter casks, just good old fashioned Islay goodness. When I found this barrel in Glasgow last year, I thought the same thing. Here is an on-the-money, single barrel anomaly. It needs no blending, no alterations. It’s perfect, dead-on, classic Laphroaig and it’s 16 years old, at full proof, and under $100 thanks to our great exchange rate. Feast, my friends!
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 12, 2017
A lovely nose of fresh cut peat and sea spray coupled with a medicinal cherry sweetness. The palate is much darker – it begins with sweet smoke – like striking a flint into dry Spanish moss but then gives way to deeper flavors with a subtle sweet streak and finishes with more chocolate and dense smoke notes and a substantially chewy texture. The finish has a fine ash quality, think a super hot beach bonfire that has finally gone cold. Excellent whisky at an excellent price- just exactly what you’ve come to expect with Old Particular casks.
Jeff Garneau | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 12, 2017
A faint trace of honeysuckle on a warm summer afternoon is quickly eclipsed by a whiff of rising smoke, quickly giving way to fresh cut peat, stacked and drying in anticipation of the coming winter. The palate by contrast is smoky and intense, unapologetically and quintessentially Laphroaig. This will absolutely delight fans of the Islay style. No pretense here, just damn fine whisky.
