Laphroaig 1999 Single Islay Highland Malt Whisky

Wine information: Single Cask bottling of Laphroaig Vintage 1999 Single Islay Malt Whisky. This is an independent bottling by the Vintage Malt Whisky Co. (VMWC). The VMWC was founded by Brian Cook in 1992, Brian is a honours graduate in Food Science with twenty year’s experience in the malt whisky industry, latterly as Export Director for one of Scotland's principal distillers. The aim of the VMWC is to produce a range of malt whiskies from Scotland's finest distilleries and to make them available to independent wine and spirit importers throughout the world – this is done under The Cooper’s Choice label. This old malt is individually bottled and presented under the distinctive Coopers Choice label. Casks of malts at different ages are selected from some of Scotland's finest, but rarely bottled distilleries. They encompass all the varied tastes and flavours to be found from the Eastern coastline, to the Highland Valleys and all the way to the Western Isles. The Cooper’s Choice Range is dedicated to the men whose skills are an essential element in the maturation of malt whisky, this range brings to the connoisseur an opportunity to taste malts which are not frequently found in the general marketplace. The Laphroaig distillery (the name means "the beautiful hollow by the broad bay") was established in 1815, by Alex and Donald Johnston. Laphroaig has been the only whisky to carry the Royal Warrant of the Prince of Wales (the 15-year-old is reportedly his favourite scotch whisky), which was awarded in person during a visit to the distillery in 1994. "A pale independent bottling from Coopers Choice sporting new bottle livery and happily bottled without artificial colouring or the ‘Un-chillfiltered’; good for Coopers Choice. The nose benefits a short while in the glass to open up and then the race is on; peat reek, heather, juniper, malt dust and some sweet dessert wine notes however the evidence of the butt mentioned on the label is muted. The overall aromas are pleasant and a little hand warming coaxes out some more of the heather and juniper along with the peat reek. After a few minutes there is also some muted bandages, cocoa and peanut shells. The taste is malty and full of peat reek; there’s some attitude in here that perhaps has been calmed in the reduction for cask strength but the overall taste is very good. There are also hints of the heather, malt and cocoa along with some further sweetness that is not overwhelming but in harmony with the peat smoke. The finish is malty and somewhat akin to peanut butter along with some oak notes and the heather and juniper. After a minute or two there is the faintest hint of diesel which ties in the maritime aspect of maturation quite nicely. The peat continues un abated for quite some time…….and becomes even more malty. One has to conclude that this is a refill - refill butt however no matter since it is simply a very good dram." 85 Points, Whisky Intelligence.

 
     

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