Earlier this year when I saw the news on a forthcoming Laphroaig 16 Year Old I was very happy to speculate that a new core line up expression is coming but at the same time was a bit worried following the latest official releases were I found out to be a bit average or disappointing (Yeah, 4 Oak, Lore and 1815 I do look at you).

My speculating was proved to be wrong as this is a limited edition and an Amazon exclusive in Europe. If you live in the USA, you fare better as it’s available at different retailers and isn’t an Amazon exclusive (probably due to the very complex system of taxes on alcohol between states).

But even if I was wrong on the release and was disappointed from recent official releases, I did have high hopes for this release based on my experience of the previous (yet different) 16 Year Old Release from 2015 (the 200th Anniversary one). But it’s ex-bourbon casks and it’s bottled at higher abv of 48% so let’s stay optimistic and hope it’ll pan out just fine:

Laphroaig 16 Year Old (2019) (48%, £89/€94,70/$139.99)

Nose: Big peaty and coastal nose. Peat smoke, sea breeze, the return of medicinal Laphroaig with iodine, TCP and bandages, honey, very crisp, more peat smoke. After a few minutes green fruits, ripe and unripe apples, kiwi, more honey and sweet peat with medicinal notes in the backseat along with hints of tropical fruits.

Palate: Sweet honey, peat, medicinal, tar, green tropical fruits (pineapple and kiwi, papaya), chimney smoke, subtle oak spice. After a few more minutes more honey and less fruits, rich (and not drying) peat with soot and coating medicinal flavors.

Finish: Medium long length, peat smoke, medicinal, honey, traces of green fruits, soot and earthy rich peat.

Thoughts: Hallelujah! Order is restored and we finally have a new official Laphroaig that carries the name in pride. Oh how I missed those classic medicinal notes and here they joined by rich lovely peat side and honey/fruits. A must have bottle for Laphroaig fans.