A somewhat younger and peatier dram to have a change of pace. There have been many great Laphroaig bottlings recently, and unfortunately I haven’t been able to taste the majority of them. This gives me mixed feelings since I do feel that (with exceptions of course) Laphroaig have a very straight line of flavours you encounter. The good part in that is that the line is a tremendous one.

Nose:
Rather heavy for a Laphroaig. Iodine, wet rope, leather and salty. There’s also a smoother edge with creme brulee here. And smoked eel. Good stuff.

Taste:
Vanilla, but also banana. Pineaplle and a load of other fruits. Quite spirited and less salty than expected. Quite smoky.

Finish:
The finish has a thick smokiness, but doesn’t last very long. There are lingering tasted, but the development stops quickly. First some wood, then fruit and then it turns more smoldering like I’m used to from Laphroaig. A bit heathery too.

This is more fruity than I expected, and on the nose heavier too. The typical Laphroaig tastes are all there, but there’s more happening here. I really enjoyed this one, since it really surprised me.

Laphroaig 12, Liquid Library, 52.4%, 1998-2010, € 65

Nose: 8
Taste: 8
Finish: 8
Overal experience: 9
Price/quality: +2

Total: 35 points