Whisky: Laphroaig 28 Year (1992), Signatory Vintage Cask 6672 “Unnamed Islay”

Country/Region: Scotland/Islay

ABV: 52.5%

Cask: Bourbon Barrels

Age: 28 Years (Distilled 19 Nov. 1992, Bottled 20 April 2021)

Nose: Maritime brine and wispy smoke, dried grass, hints of smoked oysters, roast duck, and tea; more fruits with time, metallic hot iron and pineapple.

Palate: Medium-bodied and oily, maritime, citrusy with charcoal smoke, acidic pineapple and tin; saltwater taffy and a beachside bonfire, dried grass and smoke toward the end.

Finish: Medium-length with brine, citrus, and a kiss of coal soot.

Score: 6-7 (80)

Mental Image: Unnecessarily Mechanized Beach Barbecue Pit

Narrative & Notes: I initially tried this blind as part of an online whisky group mystery advent calendar.  A few samples got a bit delayed and I took my time getting around to them. From the outset, the aroma struck me as very similar to Ledaig or Caol Ila— the wife called it Caol Ila and laughed that I thought it could be anything else while admitting she was certain she was wrong.  The palate appeared to be further evidence of Caol Ila with its dominant maritime characteristic and more subtle citrus and smoke— only hints of dried grass and vaguely medicinal herbs.  The finish was a touch shorter than I wanted, only slowly elongating, but the malt felt perfect for sipping on a rainy day.

I guessed it was a ~10-year Caol Ila matured in a bourbon barrel. Well, I had the Islay part correct at least— it turns out this was 28-year “Unnamed” Islay (read: Laphroaig) from Signatory Vintage. I have had quite a few similar-aged Laphroaig from the warehouses of Signatory Vintage, so I am shocked at just how boisterous and untamed this felt, especially on the palate.  The aroma was beautiful, with some excellent elements and cohesion, but the palate felt younger and less refined.

Overall, I still thought this was a lovely sipper and I returned to it a few times hoping to find some reason to score it higher.  It was always lovely, but never entirely coherent. I seem to be in the minority though based on the reactions from the rest of the group.