I received this dram as part of an “old peat” tasting our local whisky group did— I was sadly on the road at the time and had to take my drams to go.  As a result, it took me several years to get around to trying them. I have not really loved the pervious 25 Year Laphroaig I tried, especially once price is figured in. However, I did enjoy the 2014 edition I just reviewed, so I had some high hopes coming into this even older release of the whisky.

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Whisky: Laphroaig 25 Year, 2008 Edition

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 51.2%

Cask: Oloroso Sherry, American Oak

Age: 25 Years (Distilled 1983, Bottled 2008)

Notes: Spent fireworks, briny air, and barbecue’d shellfish lingered in the air— seaside dining with bursting fireworks for the Lunar New Year. Salted yolks, lotus root, and moon cakes kept the impression going with muscovado sugar and oil in a hot iron pot. Soft and balanced, the aroma was relaxing and mild with plenty of peat pushing in. Medium-bodied, though on the lighter side, the flavor profile featured herbal-grassy smoke and burning incense with a touch of sandalwood— perhaps a temple near the site of our grilled shellfish feast. Charcoal and shellfish appeared with smoke and salted egg yolks bound in moon cakes, maybe a hint of smoked octopus. The flavors were dirty, smokey, and salty, yet refined enough that sweeter dried and salted fruits poked in. The finish was long with a gentle pepper, maritime brine, fried dough, and dirty grill grates.

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Score: 9 (90)

Mental Image: Lunar New Year Tastival

Conclusion: Fantastic. I have had a couple of different 25 Year Laphroaig over the years and this was by some measure the best. The peat was peat and maritime aspects were softened and melded together with plenty of smokey depth and an underlying fruitiness. Everything was harmonized and well-structured from start to finish, with a lovely peppery tingle holding court as the rest faded away. Overall, a whisky for rainy days and quiet evenings— the sort of dram I want to sit and float away with.