8 - Laphroaig 15yo 1985/2000 (50%, Douglas Laing Old Malt
Cask)
Why? - We felt ready for the 'heavy hitters'. This bottling (distilled
February 1985, bottled October 2000 in a range of 318 bottles) should
be heavy enough...
Nose: Klaus asked if I had marinated my old socks in
the bottle. No, I didn't. To me, it seemed fine actually. Very fine! Quite
fruity at first, opening up into a wide range of fragrances. Wonderful
complexity. Something farmy. Chocolate and peat. Sauerkraut? Klaus was
quite disappointed, though; he claimed this bottle was very different
from the one he sampled (and thoroughly enjoyed) before.
Taste: A big burn. Plenty of peat develops in a wonderful
chocolate centre. Salty. Slightly dry in the finish. Michael found too
much sweetness after the Caol Ila's, but I can't say I agree. I have to
admit it's less 'extreme' than the 10yo OB versions.
Conclusions:
Klaus: 83. A rating 'from the belly'. Big difference
with previous bottle.
Michael: 88. Too much sweetness; the 10yo OB is better.
Johannes: 89. Very different from the OB's, but a fabulous
malt.
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Inga |
