Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 48%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex Bourbon and ex-Ruby Port
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Suntory
Average price: € 105.00
Official website: www.laphroaig.com
Vote: 90/100
Laphroaig’s ‘brother’ whisky (the meaning of the name Brodir) was originally created as a special bottling for a Scandinavian ferry line in 2012 (Batch 1), then switched to a limited edition for airport shops in 2014 (Batch 2) where it finally remained, later losing its progressive batch numbering.
The brotherhood is precisely that with the Nordic countries, although celebrating it with a finish in a Portuguese wine seems to me to be a little off the subject.
No indication on the label of cold filtration or colouring, given the precedents for similar strengths I take it for granted there is none.
Tasting notes
Copper in the glass.
Burnt plastic and toasted hazelnuts on the nose, a nice start for those who like peat, with a full profile offset by the contribution of more accommodating tones of dried apricots, peaches, pineapple, caramel, orange juice, liquorice, cinnamon and cloves. Over time, it loses much of its smokiness, maintaining a basic acrid tone that goes well with the sweeter one, to which dark chocolate and a touch of coffee are added.
And it is precisely the coffee that makes its way in the first sip, accompanied by woody evocations of pine needles and resin, with wood logs burning in the fire. Very mellow and full, at times it combines sugar and chocolate in a sort of peated candy, variegated by nuts (walnuts, pine nuts, pistachios) and dried fruit (plums) with touches of candied orange, liquorice and tamarind. Echoes of the ocean in the background.
Long finish of burnt wood, salt, cloves, chocolate, prunes, orange.
An unexpected Laphroaig, which strips itself of its ordinary clothes to wear a different yet recognisable profile, rich and incisive which satisfies and entertains while balancing the influence of Port which gives pleasant depth. Absolutely worth trying.