Laphroaig 18 Tasting Notes and Ratings.

Laphroaig 18

Added on Tuesday, Aug 11, 2009 at 10:10 PM

Bottler:

Age:	18 yrs	Type:	Scotch
Vintage:	N/A	Subtype:	Single Malt
ABV:	48.00 %	Region:	Islay
Price:	$85	Availability:	Wide

When released in the US around August 2009, this retailed for around $140. Prices have since dropped and now it can be found for as low as half that amount.

This replaced the 15 year expression.

Member Ratings and Notes

Adam

Well, here it is... whatever was "wrong" with Laphroaig 15 (which I always liked... and strangely enough I have no formal notes on, gonna have to fix that), the 18 is here to replace it. And a lot more expensive too. Let's see...

Smoke on the nose is immediate. Dusty. Bazooka bubblegum. Light caramels. The palate is tamed smoke, medium-sweet. Medicinal aspects are present but not overwhelming. Light fruits. The finish is very long, and peaks after a moment, being where the 48% is most noticeable. If you weren't a fan of the 15-year, then this probably won't do it for you -- although the ABV does keep it rather punchy, it's nonetheless still rather refined and elegant flavor-wise. I actually find it rather similar to the 15, it's kind of like they just turned up the volume somewhat. Makes a great peated digestif.

Chris

For the record, I never liked the 15 year as much as the 10 year, I found it too oily. And I find the same with the new 18.

N: Toast points, gingerbread, honey, and smoke.
P: Heavy peat as expected, oily, burnt toast.
F: Smoke and little eggnog (really).

(Note: I'm also not sure why I don't have notes on the 15, it must be a conspiracy.)

Peat and iodine on the nose, and then big peat, phenol, smoke and salt, but also a bit of oak/vanilla.

Andy

n: maple, rasin, brine

p: spicy and salty. Old shoes.

I didn't like the 15. the 10 was better. This is just a step above the 10 (maybe). When I first tasted this I was disappointed. I'd never pay $150. Sorry Laphroaig. I've seen these at $70. Still haven't pulled the trigger, but might.

B-

(retry with 2014 bottling)

n: Peaty iodine in a tin bucket.

p: Ash and axle grease. One dimensional peat but enjoyable enough. A hint of citrus.

Fuji

N: Citrus tea, minerals, asphalt, slightly floral

P: Nice maltiness with vanilla and toffee.

F: Briney

Kevin

N: Immediate peat followed by a waft of medicinal sherry then hint of sweet berries or light colored cherries.

P: Alcohol is a bit heavy - makes it hard to taste the flavors. Peat definitely comes through though.

F: Whereas the palate is hard to decipher, the finish is where it's at. The strong peat transforms into the hints found in the nose - sherry, also chocolate.

Real unexpected sweetness. My favorite Laphroaig I think.

A-

BLIND RETASTE:

N: Grassy and moldy

P: Sweet & vegetal - green smoothie, me likey

F: Little hot which overpowers some nice flavors

A different experience when tasted blind, especially when it was directy up against Laphroaig's entire line. Still like it, but it definitely got bumped down a bit.

B/B+

Ries

Cohesive, gentle smoke of burnt raspberry and mint. Ash and grey sea salt. Nice balance of oak and peat in an excellent finish. [B/B+]

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