1996 Signatory Vintage Laphroaig 15 Years hails from the warehouses of Signatory who are consistently one of my favorite whisky NDPs in the industry. They have an ability to snag great barrels and often deliver them at a great price. This one fails on the second part, but definitely comes though on the first one.
In Master of Malt’s Words: 1996 Signatory Vintage Laphroaig 15 Years
“Nose: Clean peat smoke and buttery toffee notes. A lovely hint of vanilla, as well as fresh oysters with lemon juice.
Palate: Rich palate entry with smouldering peat embers and a little marzipan. Tar, treacle and allspice.
Finish: Sticking plasters and spice.”
This is one of a dozen+ indie Laphroaigs I’ve been lucky enough to try in my life, but it’s only the third I’ve officially reviewed because if I don’t have proper notes and a photo I don’t write about it here on the site. Though that’s neither here nor there so let’s dig into what is; the 1996 Signatory Vintage Laphroaig 15 Years review. Let’s see what this indie Laphroaig is all about.
1996 Signatory Vintage Laphroaig 15 Years Info
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Laphroaig
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: Hogshead
Age: 15 Years
ABV: 54.3%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Barrel: 8511
Price: $240
1996 Signatory Vintage Laphroaig 15 Years Review
EYE
Honey
NOSE
Honey, peat, orchard fruit, salt water taffy, seaweed and a light bit of butterscotch and burnt plastic. Water brings out additional notes of vanilla cupcakes.
PALATE
A big wave of peat and smoke followed by notes of honey candy, orchard fruit, saline and burnt ends with light bits of toffee, menthol and vanilla cupcakes with an overall medicinal note. Water dulls the burnt ends character and heightens the cupcake notes.
FINISH
Long peaty roll out of charred meat, menthol and honey candy.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great sense of balance, a round full body and a silken texture.
OVERALL
1996 Signatory Vintage Laphroaig 15 Years has a sweet, salty and peaty aroma that’s nicely balanced. The flavor schizophrenically jumps from sweet to savory and back but gets held together with an overall medicinal character. It’s not my favorite 15 year old expression of Laphroaig, but it certainly is good and backs up my theory that Laphroaig’s sweet spot for maturity is between 15 -18 years.
SCORE: 88/100 (B+)
I got some samples mixed up so thanks to either Mr. Krouse, Mr. Kravitz or Mr.Boykewich for the sample.
