Laphroaig 15 yo The Laphroaig Collection 33.33cl circa late 90s 43%

Laphroaig 15 yo The Laphroaig Collection 33.33cl circa late 90s 43%

Tasting this right after the 10 in the same box set, the effect of an extra 5 years is clearly outlined. The wood is amplified but judiciously so. No loud tannins, coconut or overflowing caramel, instead its dark and dry, incense like wood, darkly fragrant, echoing of teak and black tea, which matches the character of these older Laphroaigs well. I’ve heard it said these old 15s were fruity but I don’t find it here, saved perhaps in hints of stewed apple and walnut. Wintergreen and gentian root, more embers and sizzling meat, wispy smoke forward, the sea stretches out endlessly, but that profoundly complex peat seems to have taken a step back as a trade off. Perhaps not a trade off I prefer, but make no mistake, it is an excellent malt nonetheless. 90 pts