The final Laphroaig in my journey during this tasting series— the oldest of the lot by age and a terrible reminder of just how good these old Laphroaig can be.  Terrible because the price of these whiskies, especially from SMWS, has gotten a bit out of hand. 

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Whisky: Laphroaig 27 Year (1995), SMWS 29.288 “Elegant extravagance”

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 55.8%

Cask: 2nd Fill Bourbon Barrel

Age: 27 years (Distilled 4 April 1995)

Notes: Rubber buoys by the harbor, the aroma was industrial and maritime with a sweet treacle and fruity syrups inviting me to indulge in candy making— perhaps some medicinal cherry and mugwort to calm the throat. Burning sandalwood and mugwort furthered the medicinal impression, shifting towards a traditional Chinese medicine shop with eucalyptus and menthol. Medium-bodied on the palate, the flavors were familiar with industrial docks and buoys kicking off with a dirty maritime arrival that slowly shifted toward cooked sugars, cherries, fruits, and finally more medicinal herbs and smoke. More pepper and fruit lingered on the palate with tar and creosote providing a brush of youth for the otherwise stately malt. The finish was long with and peppery with a kiss of brine, treacle, parking lot pavement, and soft fruity marshmallow candies.

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Score: 9 (91)

Mental Image: Harbourside Confectionary and Compounding Shop

Conclusion: Truly a wonderful whisky— I thought this had a refill sherry maturation considering the cherry-fruity elements that came through on the aroma and palate. It was otherwise classic Laphroaig with plenty of maritime, herbal, and parking lot elements. The brashness of youth had softened, so that the sharp edges and bright peppery elements were more subdued and tame. Overall, a proper aged Laphroaig.