Laphroaig 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Launched in 2025 for Travel Retail, this offers a slightly sweeter, more mature alternative to the standard 10-year-old, with the higher alcohol making for a longer finish where the American oak leaves its mark. 46% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... This baby is supposed to be, I quote, the ‘well-travelled one’ from the famed distillery, is that to say they’ve sent these casks off on ships to sail the seven seas, or something of the sort? Colour: white wine. Nose: well, there’s what the colour wouldn’t have led us to suspect: notes of fresh wood, especially ginger, and faint touches of coconut, but the rest keeps the Laphroaig DNA intact, that camphory, peaty side, with overripe apple, but then there’s the arrival of paprika and that’s clearly the cask. Smoked paprika, if you please (indeed, it does exist) … Mouth: the smoke in its rawest, most elemental state, austere, close to charcoal, then smoked paprika again, ripe apple, and a rather surprising touch of pineapple, which one knows can come from the casks. What’s really toned down compared to more classic Laphroaigs, like the ‘regular’ 10 or the CS, are the coastal and medicinal elements, which seem to have been somewhat erased. But it’s still very good. Finish: fairly long, with unexpected notes of exotic fruit liqueurs and syrups. Comments: it’s fairly simple but I find it good, different, surprising. Of course, the 46% is most welcome. 85 points - whiskyfuin./com