Laphroaig 1989 25 YO XOP

Laphroaig 1989 25 YO XOP, 57.8 %

Time for an old dram today. A product from independent bottler Douglas Laing. The Laphroaig 1989 25 YO XOP was distilled November 1989, matured in a single refill hogshead (cask #DL10798), and bottled in July 2015. Total outturn was 147 bottles.

Straight on to the tasting notes then!

Nose: Sweet! Sugar kisses on the nose. Vanilla, dusty oak and mild wood smoke. Soft medicinal notes of iodine and sea spray. Citrus and seaweed. Toasted oak, ground coffee beans, marzipan and mustard seeds in the back.

Taste: Creamy and full bodied. Where the nose was all delicate and soft it really does still pack a punch here. Fiery peat and peppery spices right off. Then it relaxes and we get creamy vanilla, soft citrus notes and chocolate ashes. Seaweed again and a pinch of salt. Quite dry in character.

Finish: Long finish. Remains dry and somewhat spicy throughout. Medicinal and a touch of oaky bitterness towards the end.

Comment: I ain’t heavy, it’s my dram!

Score 89/100

Thanks to Rune Klokkernes for the generous sample!

Image from Master of Malt.

Sláinte!
- Thomas