To celebrate their third anniversary, Wu Dram Clan released three very different whiskies. A Caperdonich, a Glenburgie and an Unnamed Islay. The Islay one is reviewed today, the other two will follow shortly, but with a week of Islay whiskies to be reviewed, that will be next week or so.

Anyway, this secret Laphroaig (did I say that out loud?) has been matured for almost 31 years, which is a fairly stunning age for any whisky, but even more so for Islay whiskies. Nowadays, a lot of that is bottled at a relatively young age because the massive smoky notes are very popular. However, as said in yesterday’s Laphroaig 25 review, I personally prefer the more subtle notes of mellowed Islay drams, which give more room for sublter nuances and other flavors to shine through.

Sniff:
It is very true to what you’d expect from old Islay whisky. A whiff of smoke, leather and some band-aids. There’s a hint of dehydrated lemon slices. Old yellow fruits in general.

Sip:
Some white pepper on top of the old lemon. The powder from inside Napoleon candies, cracked leather, sawdust. Some ciastal notes as well, salinity, sand.

Swallow:
A lovely and slightly drying finish. Again, a lemony acidity, some leather, some coastal salinity and brine. Long and comforting.

Yeah, this is pretty good stuff indeed. For whiskies of this age there are not many whisky brokers and bottlers you can go to nowadays, I guess Gordon & MacPhail and Signatory are the main ones. This one shows some older Laphroaig notes of band-aids, which only adds to its loveliness and the nostalgia that comes with it.

90/100

Still available in Germany starting at € 500.