Laphroaig 1996 SMS

Overall rating
91.20/100
votes
232
Whiskybase ID
WB87566
Category
Single Malt
Distillery
Bottler
Speciality Drinks Ltd (SMS)
Bottling serie
Masterpieces
Vintage
02.05.1996
Bottled
2016
Stated Age
20 years old
Casktype
Pedro Ximénez Sherry Butt
Number of bottles
516
Strength
50.6 % Vol.
Size
700 ml
Bottled for
The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2016
Market
United Kingdom United Kingdom
Added on
05 oct 2016 10:28 am by hnorjordet
UncoloredNon-chillfilteredCask StrengthSingle Cask Whisky
Laphroaig 1996 SMS
Photo by spezi1988

Average value

€ 882.13

Found 1 online shops. Lowest price:

USD$ 1400.00
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Whisky reviews for Laphroaig 1996 SMS

41 users have left 45 reviews for this whisky. Average rating is 91.20 points.

  1. peatbogger scored this whisky 97 points Specialist

    I've been holding back on giving scores on the top of the scale, that's anything above 94.

    Looks like I've been right, because where would I have had points to justify this.

    It's the damn best dram I've had in at least two decades!
    • Nose
      98 98
      Pop the cork and the faint odor leaving the bottle let you know you're in for a real treat.

      The initial sherry nose is strong, but more on the gentler Oloroso than on the heavier Ximenes. rich sultanas, prunes, red plums and a mix of red forrest berries.

      Next to all of this fruity sweetness is a mellow smoke and peat.

      The typical Laphroaig medicinal nose comming through, also carrying muffled notes of tar and seaweed.

      Old wet premium oak with hints of sour mash barley.

      A tiny twist of citrus zest on the edge.

      So many aromas mixed together there's something new every time you nose it, but nothing that stick it's head up too high, it's all so increadebly well integrated and ballanced.

      Spent more than 20 minutes just nosing this, in a combination of pure pleasure and fear of being let down by the taste.
    • Taste
      96 96
      No need to worry, the taste lives up to it's nose.

      Initially lightly spiced and warm.

      Thick and creamy but strangely also a slight dryness.

      Of course there's sherry, but it's spent 20 years in a 500 liter butt, so it's not like an A'bunadh, rather gentle, like plum jam.

      All the notes of the nose are present; muted gentle Laphroaig profile with it's smoke and peat, a little citrus, a pinch of salt, rich dark roasted coffe... all intertwined in almost perfect ballance.
    • Finish
      97 97
      Without any kind of burn or spice, just warming kindness.

      Changing and evolving in an extended length, making you hold back on the next sip to enjoy the full finish.

      Nosing the empty glass is a combination of smoke from an open fire and honey melon.

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  3. kringo86 scored this whisky 94 points Expert Senior

    O-m-g that is really a masterpiece. This must be one of those paxarette casks, after the first sniff you know immediately this has to go beyond 90p.
    Great balance, also some citrusy / sour notes that fit the sweet sherry really great. I did not dilute this monster with water, just because i was afraid that it will loose its magic. Legendary!

  4. Tommyknocker scored this whisky 91 points Expert Senior

    Extremely noble, skilfully bottled extreme Sherry Laphroaig shortly before the layering. I think he's great!
    • Nose
      92 92
      Massive, sweet PX Sherry, the cask immediately has the upper hand. But of course it doesn't hold up against the Laphroaig Spirit in the long term. Oily tincture of iodine, salty sea air and seafood wrapped in bacon are quickly mixed in. Quite medical and yet very maritime. Kirschwasser and dark chocolate again from the sherry. Fantastic nose!
    • Taste
      90 90
      Fruity sweet beginning. Like warm strawberry jam over chocolate ice cream. Then nice, medicinal smoke and a lot of wood! Tobacco and dark bitter chocolate. This whisky shouldn't have stayed in the barrel a second longer :-)
    • Finish
      90 90
      Here, too, enormous oak load at the forefront, the beautiful dark chocolate with cherry and strawberry filling lingers for a long time together with the iodine smoke.

  5. hyc scored this whisky 92 points Expert Senior

    Smell ---------------------- 93
    taste--------------------92
    End rhyme--------------------91

  6. Goethe scored this whisky 94 points Connoisseur

    What an amazing Laphroig. This is in many ways a masterpiece. The PX cask is quite dominant, like many coats on a person, luxurious coats thrown away after some time by this person an yelling: I am a Laphroaig! What a great combination.
    Concerning price/performance ratio: 9/10
    • Nose
      93 93
      Sweet gentle sherry smoke, dark fruits, dark berries (most of all currants), ripe raisins, hints of medicinal notes, sweet mocca.
    • Taste
      95 95
      Sweet sherry smoke, a lot of salted dark fruits (most of all currants and blackberrys), old books, old leather, sweet mocca, tobacco, medicinal way in the back.
    • Finish
      94 94
      Long. Dark chocolate, salted sherry, dark fruits and scones, some nuts, hints of tcp.

  7. Teresa scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      88 88
    • Taste
      91 91
    • Finish
      89 89

  8. dram-drinker scored this whisky 89 points Photo Moderator

    Really not bad - just little too rubbery for me - otherwise would have got a few more points - overall still not bad
    • Nose
      89 89
      Dried fruits, plums, figs, brown sugar, hints of molasses and acacia honey, whiffs of rubber and leather, tobacco, little toffee, sherry wood, spices, nutmeg, cardamom, almost no peat or smoke - not bad
    • Taste
      90 90
      Oily, creamy, liquorice, good sweetness, dried fruits, now peat and smoke kicking in, more rubbery notes, chocolate, toffee, little menthol, sherry wood, spices, pepper - pretty good
    • Finish
      89 89
      Medium long, warm, spicy, peppery, woody, peaty, chocolaty

  9. prz22 scored this whisky 91 points Expert Senior

    Very good sherried laphroaig, however malt character is a little bit overwhelmed by the cask.

    Usual composition with chocolates, teas and spices, also some peat. Good warm finish, really nice dram!

  10. face scored this whisky 89 points Expert Senior

    Somehow not your typical Laphroaig ... toast, sweet, peat
    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      90 90
    • Finish
      89 89

  11. Iron133 scored this whisky 88 points Member Senior

    • Nose
      87 87
    • Taste
      88 88
    • Finish
      90 90

  12. lincolnimp scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    This is a nice whisky but lacks the extra oomph in taste terms to get it much about 90.
    I also tried this without water with the same result.
    i liken this to a car that has hit 5000 revs and run out of steam and you wish you had 2000 rpm left that a turbo boost would give you.
    • Nose
      91 91
      An expressive nose for sure and one that reminds me of when i was young because the smell is coal tar soap in a glass. :)
      Everything seems to be coming together, the sherry infused peat is really good and mixing it with over ripe fruits like plum plus burnt brown sugar.
      What you see is what you get here, nothing is hiding.
    • Taste
      90 90
      The mouthfeel is good but it falls flat immediately, strange.
      i only put 4 tiny drops of water in so no too much, not even close.
      There is something behind the peat which is really nice that i cannot pinpoint. The fruit from the sherry is a little subdued but then a wave of fizziness washes across your tongue.
    • Finish
      88 88
      medium length , nice peat but overall not very exciting.

  13. vlad78 scored this whisky 92 points Connoisseur

    Nose. Burnt rubber. That's the smell of tires burning on a fire. There is a sweet plum. Damp smoky room in the morning. Buckwheat honey and joiner's glue. Parquet lacquer. Iodine and seaweed. Old candied jam that was forgotten many years ago. Smooth and greasy Shoe Polish. Burnt sugar on a spoon. Barrel pickles and green tomatoes.
    Taste. Overcooked buckwheat that was fried in sheep fat. Sweet cherry jam, plum jam, dark honey.
    Aftertaste. Sweet, gradually descending, protruding cream, whether Shoe, or custard.
    • Nose
      93 93
      Burnt rubber. That's the smell of tires burning on a fire. There is a sweet plum. Damp smoky room in the morning. Buckwheat honey and joiner's glue. Parquet lacquer. Iodine and seaweed. Old candied jam that was forgotten many years ago. Smooth and greasy Shoe Polish. Burnt sugar on a spoon. Barrel pickles and green tomatoes.
    • Taste
      92 92
      Overcooked buckwheat that was fried in sheep fat. Sweet cherry jam, plum jam, dark honey.
    • Finish
      92 92
      Sweet, gradually descending, protruding cream, whether Shoe, or custard.

  14. Whisky.Hedonist.MY scored this whisky 87 points Expert Senior

    Thanks to Eugene Yeoh for the dram.

    1st tasting - 29 Aug 2020
    2nd tasting - 31 Dec 2020
    • Nose
      90 90
      The first thing that came to my mind - Laphroaig infused marshmallow, which sounded weird but it's not. After the pungent peat smoke subsided, you got a nice PX sweetness and fruitiness, with overly sweet dried figs the most prominent, with some sour plum and prunes as well. Struck matches, chlorine, rather earthy, dark chocolate, salted almond.
    • Taste
      85 85
      The PX notes seems to be dominant here, with cough sweets, pickled ginger, some bitter wood notes, all accompanied by the Laphroaig's peat smoke. A very very faint iodine and seaweed notes dancing behind the PX wall quietly, easily gone unnoticed.
    • Finish
      86 86
      Medicinal peat smoke finally appears in the finish in a more unmasked fashion, with the dried fruits and oak bitterness.

  15. ConvalRen scored this whisky 91 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      91 91
    • Taste
      90 90
    • Finish
      93 93

  16. WhiskyJpg scored this whisky 94 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      94 94
    • Taste
      95 95
    • Finish
      93 93

  17. Roland7 scored this whisky 88 points Expert Junior

    Sherry, cocoa, cream, cola, bitter, leather, smoked sausage, black pepper, salted peanuts, sulfur, tobacco, old furniture, apple jam, mandarin, rosemary, nettle, mint, eucalyptus. Sweet and Mineral!

  18. WhiskyLovingPianist scored this whisky 89 points Connoisseur

    https://whiskylovingpianist.wordpress.com/2019/01/07/whisky-squad-the-christmas-party-2018-part-1/

    The colour is super-dark suggesting it’s a big [syrup-ed?] sherry number - PX mind, regardless of what it says on the label.
    N: Wonderfully unexpected profile on ginger cake, peat [no TCP], grated onions, gooey biscuit barley,….. A totally integrated [PX] sherry-mixed sweetness, prune juice,…
    T: So PX [and peat] can work! This one tingles in,…. providing joy, joy, joy,… and some chew,… the layers falling open with ease.
    F: Finishes very clean after all that. We can forgive the finish given the nose & arrival alone.
    C: Whiskyfun really didn’t like this one! On this rare occasion, few agree. I’m not normally a fan of PX & peat either, though over two years in an open bottle may have helped this/me no end.

    Scores a B+

  19. Kalleholzbein scored this whisky 92 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      92 92
    • Taste
      92 92
    • Finish
      91 91

  20. karloff scored this whisky 94 points Specialist

    Thanks to Peatbogger for sharing this sample with me, it was an absolute pleasure.
    • Nose
      93 93
      A perfect balance here of dark fruits and peat smoke. Both on a level playing field, you just cannot separate them. Strawberry jam on white doughy bread. Can't find anything medicinal just a lovely fruity smokiness. That sounds ludicrous when you say it out loud but it is what it is.
    • Taste
      95 95
      On first taste of this it was like I had just sipped a high end brandy followed by a puff of a quality Cuban cigar. What a combination in a glass. Just like the nose this is a perfect marriage. This goes down very easy. Texture, smoothness and quality are the reasons why.
    • Finish
      94 94
      A long finish and praise the lord for I want this to stick around. The peat just pips those fruit notes at the post and the balance is back in order just at the right time.

  21. Dude1971 scored this whisky 93 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      92 92
    • Taste
      96 96
    • Finish
      93 93

  22. Dram Dracula scored this whisky 92 points Connoisseur

    A very juicy Laphroaig, I love it! Some reviewers tasted some burnt match or gunpowder, but while it's not the cleanest Laphroaig, I hardly taste any sulfur at all, or at least at a level that would detract from even the minutest of score. The Laphroaig smoke and the PX sherry are not the most well-integrated but I find they work very, very well together. 

  23. dRambo scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      91 91
    • Taste
      89 89
    • Finish
      89 89

  24. dRambo scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    very interesting and delicious malt with rough edges despite age - the nose is my highlight, complex and exciting - but I would rather only worth 150 ¬ - he has power and sophistication but really fascination he may not trigger
    • Nose
      sweet heavy oily sherry scent, camp fire smoke, citrus zest, vanilla sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, hidden behind the other flavors are cherries, plums and red berries - especially the sherry notes in the nose are very buttery / oily-creamy
    • Taste
      sweet and salty - syrupy oily consistency, seaweed, iodine, smoke, savory biscuits, enormous oak spiciness - very intense spicy without being alcoholic, stimulates strong salivation and while it is inevitably diluted - it changes from strong - spicy - intense - concentrated , to fruity strong - until it is flattering fruity with a peppery hint of smoke on the palate - here it is beautifully fruity
    • Finish
      Cigarette ash, oak spice, liquorice, cherry syrup, tobacco mitellang - astringent spice very long

  25. Whisky-Tester did not rate this whisky Expert Senior

    • Nose
      89 89
    • Taste
      90 90
    • Finish
      89 89

  26. didi1893 scored this whisky 92 points Connoisseur

    What a fantastic Laphroaig! Mild and fruity, smoky and peaty, powerful and harmonious. A whopping 92 points and the anticipation of the rest of the sample make me dream of this Laphroaig.
    • Nose
      Dark and "dirty" amber rests in the glass, viscous drops run back into the glass in slow motion after panning. Mineral rock notes and hints of sweet sherry pour out of the glass and exude a promising aroma. Sweet and dark berries mingle with earthy and peaty aromas, voluminous banana aroma blends with roasted aromas and dried raisins or plums. A harmonious and very pleasant smoky note is over the complete nose, the sweetness is intensified, a subtle pinch of salt is distributed in the sweet fruit. Slowly, a touch of sour grapefruit is added, resulting in a multi-layered and very complex nose. Delicious!
    • Taste
      Salty notes are immediately mixed in the mouth with sweet and dried berries, a "dirty" and loamy peat aroma ends in a bitter and spicy woody aroma. Smoke aromas are created and become more intense, the salt turns into wood sharpness. Some gum abrasion falls into bitter wood chips, Grapefruitschalen give the spicy wood a fruity note. The different and contrasting aromas harmonize perfectly with each other and make the Laphroaig a taste experience.
    • Finish
      Mild with a smoky peat note starts the finish. The dark and sweet fruit flavors return, toasted aromas and dried berries mingle with tart grapefruit. The smoky smoky nose and the sweet, dark fruit gently warm the entire mouth and leave this taste experience in memory for a long time. Gorgeous!

  27. Kimba scored this whisky 94 points Expert Junior

    What else should I write. Othorion and Gloin have put it in a nutshell. For me, this interaction between PX and Laphi has been extremely successful. Absolutely flavors Overflow! One of the best whiskys I drank!

  28. ErzWhisky scored this whisky 93 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      Sweetish, aromatic spices; very subtle smoky note; fine sherry; raisins; slightly salty; dried orange peel
    • Taste
      sweetish sherry; wonderful spices; balanced and harmonious;
    • Finish
      strong; beautiful notes of wood / spice; Sherry; light smoke again; wonderfully long and warm; sounds great

  29. Othorion scored this whisky 92 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      Citrus notes, burnt raisins, salty, maritime, grapefruit, ginger, gum, burned matches, sweet balsamic, honey, nutmeg
    • Taste
      Oily, gentle, zero alcohol, creamy, sweet, caramel, raisins, dark chocolate, medicinal smoke, iodine, salty, spicy, white pepper, grapefruit, lemon, tamarind, walnuts
    • Finish
      warming, slightly dry, laaaang, smoky, with sweet lemon and coffee

  30. Gloin scored this whisky 90 points Expert Senior

    The smell is a surprisingly strong citrus note, which complements well with sweet sherry, to the smoke comes. This is very intense and beautiful, but not very complex. The taste is seductive, not stingy with its charms, but leaves like the nose a little complexity. The finish knows how to convince, long, intense and harmonious.
    • Nose
      Immediately very sweet smoke, raisins, sherry I have no idea how smelled lime peel, but that's how I imagine, after a while, the smoke is more dominant, but even then it remains in an interplay between very sweet sherry, smoke and citrus notes ,
    • Taste
      Gentle onset and very creamy body, followed by a little sharpness on the tongue, closely interwoven with an intense sweetness, smoke, behind it delicate oak, as in the nose a conflict of sweet sherry and citrus notes, sweetened filter coffee
    • Finish
      Slightly astringent in the finish, the sherry steps back and the smoke and citrus notes take over control, now comes a little more oak, the smoke is cold, like cold cigarette smoke, long it sticks to the palate

  31. ASWhisky scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    a nice whisky, which bumps in some places, but is exciting and creates beautiful flavors combinations rightly a UA, because he lacks the Laphroaig own harmony, he has for it a very own dynamics. intensive notes, however, without much variety Ranking: 1.Mund, 2.Nase, 3.Abgang mmh, I like them indeed
    • Nose
      directly after pouring without movement First Sherrynoten and no Laphroaig Slowly, some smoke gets through
      a little later with movement more smoke and now citrus, but the main note is the sweet raisin flavor of Pedro Ximénez Now comes the sweetish Laphroaig smoke with the medical touch and mixes perfectly with the Pedro raisin sweet raisin in gauze bandage - yes we want that;) and now also maritime salty notes and damp old wood in the Sherrynoten
    • Taste
      the entrance already kisses your tongue sweet light brown raisin, slightly salty smoky Wow Your tongue is glowing Stun camphor and essential oils You taste them bitter sweet and smoky after plywood, sea salt, leather the beautiful raisin and bitter chocolate you almost forgot that you are sitting in a doctor's office Laphroaig is just medicine, but one that can kiss well;)
    • Finish
      long Tingling on the tongue, medicinal, smoky, dry, cocoa, some fruit

  32. LiquidThoughts scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    Definitely an exceptional PX-Laphi, drinkable and round despite the smoke and the%, it may work. a tick unbalanced, I personally like the grapefruit and citric acid not so completely in between, have all the old Sherry-Bunnas never had. Nevertheless, he is a great Islay with a special finish and even tollerer presentation. I think the '91 are a bit of the one who distract the color and limitation a bit. ;)
    • Nose
      Absolutely wonderful nose right from the start, the typical Laphroaigrauch is changed, from the hospital more in the earthy direction, the iodine remains, extinct campfire, beautiful crusty smoked ham, honey sweetness with apricots and cranberry sauce over the ham, back acidic and saltier , Coastal air, fresh salt, grapefruit
    • Taste
      Again, the smoked ham, this time but rather to the BBQ batzen from the smokehouse has become, black walnut, iodine, in between acidity of citrus and grapefruit, the PX sweetness comes through clearly, the second sip, the citrus goes back a bit, but as in waves always again, to a little burnt rubber, the 100% Antischwefler should probably here. do not access. ;)
      Autumn leaves, red berries, but also grapes, some sour apple in between the citrus sometimes.
    • Finish
      Long, not surprisingly remains the smoke flavor, but also dry leaves, candy from the PX and honey

  33. mothers_finest scored this whisky 91 points Expert Senior

    A very good Laphroaig! Laphroaig and PX are just right. It reminds me a bit of the Laphroaig (oddly enough also from TWE) 1998 SV (WID 70044), only the "Masterpieces" are more intense in sherry influence, sweeter and a titter rounder than the above. The 1998s, however, has more punch, and allows for little water games (this one is not).
    Both certainly very good malts. The masterpieces one more tick better.

    And what's so nice on the label: "I believe Masterpieces are made for sharing" ... but only very few will do that :)
    nB: However, I can not understand the notes of Serge! 81 points for this one and 91 points for the 1998`s. But he is the expert - and I just do not :)

  34. ak47 scored this whisky 92 points Expert Senior

    Sold for 680€ at whiskyauction.com - 02/2017 

  35. lincolnimp scored this whisky 90 points Connoisseur

    The shop price for this at the moment is 1000 euro, would any sane person pay this??

    To say the shop is taking the piss, price wise is an understatement in the extreme, considering roughly six months ago it sold on release for around £200/235 euro ish.

  36. Vincent2 did not rate this whisky Expert Junior

    Best peated malt in the ultra premium category - MM Awards 2016

  37. svenske2015 scored this whisky 94 points Expert Senior

    Here are the words from whiskyfun:

    Laphroaig 20 yo 1996/2016 (50.6%, Specialty Drinks, Masterpieces, Pedro Ximenez sherry butt, 516 bottles)I’m not always into PX, especially PX on peat, but I’m often wrong. Colour: amber. Nose: ah. Definitely modern, and possibly re-racked, but it seems that it was worth it. Never have pencil shavings and cough syrup combined this well! Some kind of gingery, spicy, and smoky all-fruit jam that’s getting rather balsamic after a few minutes, while the oak spices would never give up. Peppered chocolate, cloves, cinnamon cake… With water: bourbon mixed with turpentine and tincture of iodine. It’s got its charms, but we’re far from any regular Laphroaigness now. Mouth (neat): huge, concentrated, and extremely extractive. Thick jams, oak spices, pomegranates, tamarind jam, ganaches… In truth Laphroaig’s distillate, not the weakest ever don’t we agree, got almost silenced. With water: same feeling, this is pretty extreme. The PX comes out, with sultry fruits and of course many raisins. Spice cake? Finish: long, sweet, and spicy. Hungarian Tokaji and lapsang souchong tea, fifty-fifty. And a lot of fruited marzipan in the aftertaste. Comments: I did not quite understand this whisky, I think I should go see a doctor. And perhaps an analyst. To me it feels a little pimped, if I may, but I know many aficionados who just totally ADORE it. SGP:654 – 81 points.

  38. Kaltduscher scored this whisky 91 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      The malt starts with a classic sherry nose. Raisins. Dark fruits. Leather. Dark chocolate. Then the malt becomes fresher and more fruity. Lemon zest. Oranges. Apples. Spicy notes such as cinnamon and cardamom make for a Christmas feeling. Tree resin. A light salt note. The smoke is well integrated after 20 years and never takes over.
    • Taste
      Oily, the malt slides through the mouth. Raisins. Chocolate. Dried apricots. Wild berry jam. Some ashes. Iodine. Oak spice. Milk coffee with cinnamon.
    • Finish
      Long. Soft and elegant fruity notes and the subtle smoke remain in the mouth. Apples. Dried apricots. Some lime. The oak comes to the fore and ensures a long and bitter finish. Coffee. Roasted almonds. Dark chocolate.

  39. peatbogger scored this whisky 97 points Specialist

    I usually don't venture past £150 for a bottle, but after tasting this I would have paid the launch price of £200 without a whimper.

    Too bad there's only 516 bottles...
    • Nose
      98 98
    • Taste
      96 96
    • Finish
      97 97

  40. P.A.O.K.you_are did not rate this whisky Connoisseur

    Laphroaig 20 yo 1996 (50,6%, The Whisky Exchange ‘Masterpieces’ 2016, PX cask, 516 btl.)Nose: huge sherry, really huge. It’s full of red berries, forest
    fruits jam, cherries in syrup, candied oranges and rum & raisins. 
    Nicely juicy, with a dry layer behind it, more on chocolate, charcoal
    and tarry ropes than on actual peat smoke. Just a hint of new tires as
    well as something of raspberry vinegar. Mouth: a lot of sherry again, a
    little on the sharp side. Raisins and dates, but with a salty touch,
    some tar, sour cherries and redcurrant. Pepper. It’s only in the
    aftertaste that it really moves towards deep smoke, tobacco and a
    chocolate-coated peatiness. Bitter oranges. Salted liquorice. A hint of
    pink grapefruit, but very much in the back. Finish: long, on cherries
    and Turkish coffee, with smoky notes and liquorice.
    It seems this has been a hit at the recent Maltstock event. Sherry
    and peat, with this level of intensity, gives fireworks indeed. It’s
    fruity and dry at the same time. Very good. Around € 235 – but sold out
    quickly after the TWE Whisky Show.
    Score: 90/100

    Whiskynotes.be

  41. Kantenmechaniker scored this whisky 93 points Connoisseur

    I almost forgot a sample here, which would have been a grave mistake. A top Laphroaig, not my number 1, but very close.
    • Nose
      starts surprisingly light and fresh, smoke is there, but not as intense as expected, ashen and slightly greasy, fresh mint, grated lemon peel flash on and then make room for dark sherry notes, plum mustard, grape nut chocolate, old leather and something Cinnamon, Lumumba with neat shot, overall very harmonious and unexpectedly filigree, nothing exciting that takes up the whole room.
    • Taste
      Oily, but also unexpectedly delicate and restrained, since the 20 years have done a great job and made of an untamed Laphroaig a balanced composition, beautiful ashen smoke, then a great creamy sweetness, again Plumsmuss, the whole mouth is filled with flavors, espresso , dry oak notes on the palate, when smacking clearly cinnamon with dark chocolate as undertone, do not need water
    • Finish
      The smoke lingers for a long time and with a nice unobtrusive intensity, still incredibly fruity and creamy, despite a slight sweetness, it is now a bit bitter and goes towards fruit bowl or Apfelkern

  42. Doctor B. scored this whisky 90 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      93 93
    • Taste
      91 91
    • Finish
      90 90

  43. Pxrider scored this whisky 94 points Expert Senior

    Notes by :maltfascination.comLaphroaig 1996-2016, 20yo, PX Sherry Butt, 50.6% – Masterpieces

    Posted on 7 November 2016by Sjoerd de Haan-Kramer Every year for The Whisky Exchange’s The Whisky Show, the guys at Speciality Drinks *1 bottle a cask for their Masterpieces range. This range consists of whiskies that the bottlers deem especially worthy of being called Masterpieces. In the past there have been at least a Clynelish and a Caol Ila that were awesome. Unfortunately, I missed out on last year’s Bruichladdich, but this year I wanted a sample of the Laphroaig. A 20 year old at that!Unfortunately, oldish Islay whisky is hugely popular, and unless you are the Scotch Malt Whisky Society or Cadenhead’s, you don’t have many casks and must purchase them at current cost. This makes bottling casks like this a pricy endeavour and results in a £ 200 price tag.“Luckily”, it wasn’t at some other bottlers who ask a lot more for a whisky like this.A 20 year old Laphroaig matured in a PX sherry cask must be good, so I was quite anxious to sit down and try it when a peaceful moment arose. This does not happen often with two little brats at home and an endless to-do list.Sniff:
    Initially there’s a lot of soft sherry notes, but with a sharp, peaty edge to them. Dried fruits, but also wet rope, iodine and salt. Some milk chocolate and hay as well.Sip:
    The palate is quite sharp for a whisky at just over 50% ABV. It’s also rich and full, with lots of smoke and peat. Hay and wet wool, iodine, rope. Very maritime. It’s very dry with some peaches and prunes later on. Quite luxurious.Swallow:
    The finish has a tiny hint of coffee at first, but that’s quickly pushed to the background by fruit, hay, smoke and iodine. It’s still rich and slightly less dry, with quite some oak.It’s been over a month since I reviewed an Islay whisky, and apart from a single glass of Ardbeg at a friend’s last weekend it’s been about as long since I actually had one. Now I did, and this is the kind of Islay whisky that makes you absolutely adore the island.Sherry and peat works miracles if done well, and this is done well. It’s still quite sharp and dry, because of peat and smoke and the dryness of the sherry cask, but there’s a lot of depth and richness to balance that. A very, very good whisky.90/100Laphroaig 1996-2016, 20yo, Pedro Ximénez Sherry Butt 516, 50.6%, Masterpieces bottled for The Whisky Exchange Whisky Show 2016.*1: To us normal punters The Whisky Exchange and Speciality Drinks are virtually the same companies

  44. Maltkanzlei scored this whisky 93 points Expert Senior

    A new malt from the hitherto brilliant 'Masterpieces' series of the Whisky Exchange. Under the Masterpieces label, Sukhinder Singh, the head of the TWE, exclusively sells the malts he prefers to keep private for himself. So at least the text on the bottle. After the previous Masterpieces, I am more than inclined to believe him. Eye / Nose: Visually, even the first glance suggests, there is no lightweight. The Laphi has taken on a deep, mahogany brown color over the years. Whether helped with Zuckercouleur I can not remove the bottle immediately. Necessarily he probably would not have had it after 2 decades of PX stocking. While I think about the nonsense of artificial coloring, the slowly warming Laphroaig in my hand impressively spreads its fragrance in the room. The nose immediately leads to the first aha experience. Smoky latte macchiato with plenty of brown sugar comes to my mind. "Like a sweet mocha", I hear from the round. Raisins, roasted almonds. Then comes the smoke. Very fresh and typical Islay. Reminds me of the character, however, almost a little more of the best Kilchoman PX Single Casks than a Laphi. Great nose anyway. You do not want to stop enjoying the scent. Palate: Wonderfully round and harmonious, so the first impression. The almost 51% ABV are perfectly integrated. There's nothing scratching. Full-bodied and creamy. Very complex. Quite different taste impressions wrestle for supremacy on the tongue. On the one hand, of course, the smoky notes. Again rather warm campfire than doctor's office. Add spice. Christmas biscuits, cardamom, a hint of cinnamon, some oak, whose slight bitterness perfectly keeps the sweetness of Pedro Ximenez in balance. Finally, tobacco notes and the beautiful fruitiness of dark forest berries. The fruity note reminds me most of blackberry jelly, I'm curious how others feel here. Finish / Conclusion: While the malt goes very slowly, the sherry influence gradually gives way, creating room for the original Laphi notes. Even the Brennereicharakter, which I have perceived less clearly in the nose and on the palate, now appears impressively to light. Medicinal, phenolic smoke, woven into a sweetness that is as unfamiliar as it is perfectly harmonious. Slightly chalky iodine remains on the tongue towards the end. Big cinema!

  45. Eneloop2009 scored this whisky 93 points Connoisseur

    First nose: punch - wow

  46. svenske2015 scored this whisky 94 points Expert Senior

    shop info:

    "2016's Masterpiece bottling combines the popular elements of sherry-cask ageing and peated whisky. A hit at The Whisky Show, this has notes of tropical fruit, iodine, berry fruit and intense smoke."

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