This was first released during in 2015 to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary and has now become an occasional release. Nothing extra is done to this offering except taking the base spirit and aging it a few years beyond the normal. Oh, Laphroaig, how polarizing are your scotches! Some say you taste like diesel fuel. Others adore your peaty, smoky, medicinal qualities. Who is the most medicinal of them all? Even the Kilbride Stream adds an extra peaty layer to your whisky. Where shall Laphroaig 16 fall on this spectrum? Find out what we thought and share your thoughts too.
Distillery: Laphroaig
Region: Islay
Age: 16 years
Strength: 48%
Price: $114.99
Location: Port Ellen
Nose: Smoke, medicinal, honey, wintergreen, apple
Palate: Peat, bacon, butter, cinnamon, black pepper
Finish: Smoke, bacon, peat
Comments: Water is not needed.
Adam – As someone who was put off very early in my scotch journey by younger Laphroaigs, I have come full circle and firmly believe the spirit achieves peak levels in the mid to late teens, as the sour finish from the younger spirits disappears and allows the fruit to step into the fore to dance with peat and smoke. The Laphroaig 16 is no exception. The nose is a joy of apple and honey with just the right tinge of medicinal (yes, the right amount can be a good thing) wreathed in light smoke. Peat enters on the palate and is the master of the experience, accompanied by a meaty richness sprinkled with pepper; the peat makes room enough for smoke to come back in the finish, with a touch of sweet bacon char to leave a complete, well-rounded experience. For those who love Islays, there is plenty to find here.
Kate – I really feel like this is a sophisticated Laphroaig. It doesn’t have a “this smells like diesel fuel” like the Laphroaig 10. The harshness is mellowed out. The Laphroaig 16 is grown up and very sophisticated and I’m enjoying the hell out of it.
The Laphroaig 16 is grown up and very sophisticated.
Henry – Nose reminiscent of an unpeated older Caol Ila and notes of juicy fruits with subtle peat; no overassertive char like its younger self. The distillery’s characteristic char and peat comes through on the palate, but not overly so, and the finish is incredibly well integrated, with comforting peaty notes and a lingering sweetness.
Ben – There’s something that came around the back of my tongue on the first swallow, that felt like pie even if it didn’t taste like pie. There’s almost some apple peel on the nose; it’s not always there but that is what was on the back of my tongue. That first sniff and sip. Delicious.
