Laphroaig 30 is the second oldest Laphroaig I’ve ever had. The distinction of oldest ever goes to that crazy awesome Laphroaig 32 Years I got to try earlier this year. Besides two years of aging, the big difference between the two tricenarians is their use of casks. The Laphroaig 30 uses a double casking of ex-Bourbon where as the 32 was aged in 100% ex-Oloroso casks.
In Laphroaig’s Words: Laphroaig 30
“Laphroaig 30 Year Old is a rare, limited-release offering from Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and features notes of toasted almond, sage and a subtle touch of the peat smoke that is Laphroaig’s trademark. Like the wave-washed granite walls at the Laphroaig distillery, Laphroaig 30 Year Old has acquired rounded character and exceptional smoothness through a double maturation in first and second-fill ex-Bourbon barrels.”
The first time I tried this was in a blind tasting I held at my house for a handful of friends where we tasted and ranked the 2016 Cairdeas, Lore, 10, 10 CS, 25 and the 30. For me the Cairdeas won, but the 30 came trailing close behind and followed by the Lore. We’ll dive deeper into the Laphroaig 30 review below.
Laphroaig 30 Info
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Laphroaig
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon
Age: 30 Years
ABV: 53.5%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 2016
Price: $1,000*
Laphroaig 30 Review
EYE
Copper
NOSE
Burnt bread, peat, apple sauce, dried fruit, iodine coppery earthiness and bit of oak, menthol, fried circuitry and camphor. It’s as lovely as can be.
PALATE
Orchard fruit, buttered toast, saline, smoke, menthol, dried fruit leather, iodine, camphor, menthol and light bits of burnt meat and anise.
FINISH
Long medicinal fade layered with camphor, menthol, peat and burnt rubber.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, heavy round body and an oily feel.
OVERALL
What? Laphroaig 30 is good? I’m just as shocked as you are that this is a balanced and tasty malt. This isn’t your Grandpa’s medicine, this a rockstar’s medicine; it’s loud and full of character. It’s fruity, medicinal and smoky from start to finish and carries a rich complex aura the entire time. Water doesn’t enhance it too much but it also doesn’t need it; at 107 proof it’s perfectly sippable and wholly enjoyable.
The down side of the Laphroaig 30 is of course that it costs $1,000+ making it a hair outside of my price range. Though the good news for those of us whose disposable income isn’t at the Daddy Warbucks level is that Laphroaig puts out a ton of great whiskies that are wonderful and reasonably priced. There’s also no shortage of indie Laphroaigs that can be had for a not-terrible price.
Basically I’m saying there’s no shortage of great Laphroaig in the market at a fraction of the cost. We should be happy that things like the Laphroaig 30 exist without fretting about not being able to buy a bottle. That said I’d still love to own a bottle, but then who wouldn’t?
SCORE: 90/100 (A-)
*Disclosure: This sample of Laphroaig 30 was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
