Located in the west of Scotland, the Isle of Islay is known among hard liquor drinkers as the birthplace of the finest single malts. Laphroaig whiskey is a prominent representative of the famous single scotch whiskey – a drink with a powerful character, an oily texture and a pronounced smokiness of the bouquet.
The taste of island products, saturated with the aromas of the sea and peat, cannot be confused with anything.
Despite the fact that fans of the legendary whiskey note the gradual reduction of smoky accents in the drink, it is still recognizable and loved in many parts of the world. On account of each adhesive tape from the brand line there are several significant gold awards.
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The History of Laphroig Whiskey
It is assumed that the art of distilling on Islay appeared thanks to the Irish monks. However, before it turned into a profitable business, many years passed. Brothers Alexander and Donald Johnston were among the pioneers who established legal enterprises in the fertile territory.
Before opening their own distillery on the south coast of the island, they rented a site in the Laphroaig valley to raise cattle. The brothers used the surplus feed to produce whiskey.
By 1815, it was clear that distilling scotch was more profitable than ranching. The Laphroaig Valley by this time had become famous as the territory that supplies the best single malt spirits for blends. A local source has played a significant role in creating an exceptional reputation, providing start-up entrepreneurs with soft, mineral-free water with a slight peaty aroma.
In the 30s, Alexander, having sold his share in the business, emigrated to Australia, and Donald managed the distillery until his death. According to legend, the founder of the company ended his life right in a vat of whiskey, into which he accidentally fell. In the future, the company was led by the descendants of the Johnston brothers.
The fame of smoky molts grew, but they were used exclusively to create blends.
At the end of the XNUMXth century, the management of the plant passed into the hands of the sisters William Hunter and Katherine Johnston, who tried to defend the right for the distillery to produce single malt spirits for sale, and not for creating blends. Litigation between neighbors – the supplier of molts, Laphroaig, and their buyer, Mackie and Co – lasted for several decades.
The main rival, in an attempt to keep the share of the constant ingredient in blends, used any methods, far from always legal: from blocking the source and poaching leading experts to trying to buy the company and build an exact copy of it. However, the secret of Laphroaig remained unsolved: no one managed to repeat the bouquet of the famous whiskey.
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In the 1920s, the company’s owners were able to buy a leased plot of land, increase the capacity of the distillery and enter the international market. Deliveries to Latin America, Canada and Europe were organized. Producers of “Laphroaig” even managed to circumvent the “dry law” in the United States, convincing employees of a specialized department of the medicinal properties of the drink.
The specific aroma of island scotch with tones of iodine and seaweed played an important role here, although, they say, whiskey tasting had more weight.
In the 30s, Ian Hunter stood at the helm of the great company, who was the first among the producers of scotch to use American barrels for aging drinks. He carefully guarded the secrets of Laphroaig and entrusted them only to Bessie Williamson, who came to the enterprise as a temporary worker. The girl who appeared on the threshold of the company with one suitcase in her hand did not expect that she would stay here for 40 years and become the owner of the legendary distillery. She ran the business until the early 70s, selling it to Long John International shortly before leaving.
Types of whiskey Laphroig
The main line of Laphroaig whiskey consists of 7 drinks:
10 YEAR OLD
A classic gold-colored scotch produced according to Ian Hunter’s recipe, which is the basis for the entire collection of the brand.
The malt dried on peat gives a rich taste to the drink. Characteristic of Laphroig, a bold, smoky bouquet with a touch of seaweed and salt, full-bodied, with a lingering finish, filled with sweetness, this whiskey sounds most pronounced.
Strength: 40%.
Best Single Malt Scotch of 2019 by Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible.
25 YEAR OLD
An exceptional drink born from the “marriage” of spirits aged in bourbon barrels with whiskey matured in sherry containers. The 25-year-old red gold colored Scotch is bottled at cask strength of 48,9%.
The aroma contains the sweetness of sherry, tinted with peat, marine and fruity notes.
In the rounded taste accents of smoke, apple, spices are guessed.
The lingering finish warms, leaving a taste of peat and salt in the mouth.
LORE
The richest drink from the Laphroig collection in terms of taste characteristics.
Combines spirits from different barrels, aged from 7 years to 21 years.
Aroma: smoky-marine interspersed with ash and bitter chocolate.
Taste: intensely peaty, full-bodied, with a sharp and spicy hint of hot pepper.
Finish: short dry and long sweet. Colour: bright gold. Alcohol: 48%. “Best No Age Statement Scotch 2019” by Whiskey Bible.
QUARTER CASK
A drink that has gone through a double stage of maturation in different types of American oak barrels.
Thanks to close contact with wood, notes of toffee and caramel appeared in the aroma, and the taste became drier and sweeter.
In the bouquet, you can catch not only branded peat accents, but also shades of banana and coconut that are not characteristic of Laphroig tapes.
The multi-layered drink pleases with a sparkling golden color, deep, full-bodied character, lingering smoky aftertaste, seasoned with delicate sweetness and spices.
Strength: 48%.
SELECT
A complex drink, close to the classic spirit of Laphroig, but more versatile.
Created from spirits aged in three types of barrels. Combines bright tones of oak, peat and signature sweetness.
The bouquet contains shades of red fruits, ash and smoke, seasoned with warm dryness.
The rich aftertaste surprises with accents of marzipan, lime and flowers.
Strength: 40%.
TRIPLE WOOD
A unique whiskey with a pure gold hue and creamy texture, born from a three-stage aging in different types of barrels.
Signature smoked-peaty tones are diluted with soft notes of fruits and spices.
The aroma combines the sweetness of raisins, nuts, ripe apricots, spiced with a slight smoky hint.
In a balanced aftertaste, the subtle sweetness of sherry and vanilla is complemented by a smooth caramel plume.
Strength: 48%.
FINO FRIENDSHIP
A special drink of increased strength (51,8%), which has gone through a two-stage maturation: first in bourbon barrels, then in sherry.
Colour: golden amber.
The bouquet is dominated by roasted almonds, dried fruits, sea salt and traditional peat.
In addition to the listed drinks, the company produces exclusive versions of scotch dedicated to the famous “friends” of the brand and important dates.
Interesting Facts
The short name “Laphroaig” loosely translated from Gaelic sounds like “a picturesque valley on the shore of a wide bay.”
In 1994, the distillery was visited by Prince Charles, who not only made an order for the supply of whiskey to the royal table, but also gave permission for the use of the corresponding inscription on its label.
In the same year, the advertising project “Friends of Laphroaig” was launched. Each buyer who has become the owner of a bottle of whiskey packed in a tube receives a special code.
After registering on the site, the user becomes a “friend of Laphroig”, which gives him the right to own 1 square foot of Islay land located on the territory of the enterprise.
As rent for the use of the site, the company annually provides the buyer with 1/8 ounce of whiskey.
You can get a “payment” by arriving at the factory.
Laphroague drinks are often found in books, songs and films. Of the most famous references: the novel by Thomas Gifford “The Assassins”, the texts of Boris Grebenshchikov, the films “Like Crazy” and “Scandalous Diary”.
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Relevance: 02.04.2019
Tags: Whiskey and bourbon, Scotch brands