It’s time to announce the winner in Whisky Gospel first birthday giveaway. As most of you guessed correctly, the answer to the question (big clue in the blog header picture 😉 ) – it’s Laphroaig! So the winner will get a Laphroaig 18yo bottle.

But just announcing a winner is boring, so bear with me for a little while more and let’s review a cracking Laphroaig bottle before announcing the winner (but you can scroll down to find the winner if you’re a bit impatient).

Having a close by friends who shares the love to the same distillery is a good thing. Take Michael (of Malt & Oak Blog) for example – he recently went on a trip to Europe and brought back a surprise – the Van Wees Laphroaig 1998 and I felt that a Laphroaig dram is the fitting choice to review for the winner announcement.

This one was distilled on 22.09.1998 and bottled in August 2012 after it spent 13 years and 11 months (1 month short of being 14yo!) in a Refill Butt #700394. So, is it good as I expect it to be?

The Ultimate Van Wees Laphroaig 1998 13yo (60.1%, 716 bottles, buy for € 98.95 here)

Nose: Initial impression is of an angry beast restrained by chains – there’s the great Laphroaig profile here, full of peat, iodine, bandages, all being held back by the sherry impact. There are raisins, red berries and lovely sweetness. Since it’s a 60.1% monster, I’ve added water (you don’t have to tho!) and it helps releasing out the ashes and the sherry is less noticeable.

Palate: The beast is out! ash, peat, brine, grilled BBQ meat, sweet raisins and berries. With water the sherry is diminished.

Finish: Long, peat monster is back in cage and restrained, meaty, sweet cured meat. With water, sour-sweet berries.

Conclusion:I’m biased but this is a cracking Laphroaig dram. Up my alley with peat and sweet working great together. A bit expensive one for 13 yo old but still worth it IMHO. Thanks Michael! (you can find his review here)

So now, after I made you thirsty, it’s time to announce the give-away winner.

*drum roll please*

The winner is: Manfred Reinhofer

Thanks to all those who participated and to all my readers. I hope you enjoyed the first year  of the blog and I promise that the next year will be even better. Slainte!