I originally received this sample as part of a “1989” birth year whisky tasting that a friend hosted (and hosted in two parts since there were so many bottles).  It took me a few years to finally get around to finishing my review of this whisky, even though it was one of my favorites.

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Whisky: Laphroaig 25 Year, 2014 Edition

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 45.1%

Cask: Bourbon, Oloroso Sherry

Age: 25 Years (Bottled 2014)

Notes: The aroma spoke of barbecues along the beach and the sweet sizzle of eel on the grill. Tropical fruits and soft coastal salt— beach picnic vibes— filled the air as smoke wafted in from the charcoal grill with toasted thyme, aromatic cedar wood, tobacco, and oak moss; a fine fragrance to wear to a picnic! The palate was much the same, light on the tongue but full of flavor as the herbal notes hit first, followed by fatty eal over bichōtan, coastal sand dunes, and dried grass. The flavors were well-structured, and patience revealed old papers and boxes of books. The finish was nice and long, with charred driftwood and paperbacks carrying a touch of salt and meaty burnt char siu.

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Score: 8 (87)

Mental Image: Paperbacks and Beach Barbecues

Conclusion: This mature Laphroaig just about stole the show at the 1989-themed whisky tasting; it was hands down my favorite pour that evening, and my wife clearly agreed as her pour disappeared in no time at all. It was wonderfully complex, with well-structured layers of flavor and a clear development over time— all things that make a whisky excellent to sip on over an extended evening. It had none of the muddled or slightly tangled flavors of the previous 25-year edition I reviewed— the only thing really holding it back was the delicate nature of the mouthfeel. Overall, a real delight that compared wonderfully well against similar vintage releases from Signatory Vintage and the Thompson Brothers.