Always have such mixed feelings about these cask strength 25-year-olds. They've got hints of what made Laphroaig great but batch variation and price makes it tricky. 2015 was my favourite so far, then 2018. Speaks volumes that the 25 year old cask strength still can't get to the level that the 10 year-old was on for so many decades. Cheers guys!
Super aged Islay is always a tricky proposition. When they are great they are spectacular but more often than not they tend to lose all the things that make them an Islay whisky. That’s a great price and score though and seems like a really nice value. Thanks for the review.
I picked up two bottles of Laphroaig 25 for £189 each from a Spanish wine website a few years ago. I think they are the 2013 or 2014 and bottled at 45% cask strength. I've got through one of them and enjoyed it very much. I agree with your notes that there is a lot of soft white fruit, glazed ham with a gentle Islay peat threaded through it. I actually appreciated the 45% abv because I felt that the whisky had reduced to a perfect harmony. If I want a slap in the face Laphroaig I'll buy something younger. It's a refined flavour you can only experience with old whisky. However, I've had younger and far cheaper Laphroaigs, usually from the independents, which are every bit as enjoyable. Is it worth $500? Nope, not for me anyway. Much as I like the 25 I'd rather have five bottles of those than one bottle of the 25. I guess if your pocket is deep enough it's not an issue. It's delicious stuff though and all lovers of top level whisky should try to experience a whisky like this in the course of their whisky journey. What saddens me is that those relatively new to the world of whisky on regular salaries will find that impossible to justify. When I paid £378 for my two bottles I justified it to my wife as an investment. (I've never flipped my whisky.) One is polished off already and the other is for a rainy day because I'll never pay $500 for any routinely released whisky. I know you guys pay top dollar but that stuff has historical interest and that what real collecting and enjoyment is about. (I have other collections outside whisky.) Cheers guys. Welsh
For me when I got to the point where I had so many bottles open already where adding 5 of the same didn't excite me the way it used to. I preferred to get that one special bottle instead since I have so many cheaper/value bottles already that I can reach for anytime. But I totally understand and respect your thought process behind purchasing your whiskies. Cheers buddy!!!
Great review guyz :) I have found this on a website in Europe for 420 euro a couple of weeks ago and been really thinking about it. Maybe your video was a sign that I have to pull the trigger, cheers :D
I don't seek out current Laphroaig, because of the medicinal and iodine characteristics you mentioned. I've never had a older Laphroaig, but they sound different then the current expressions for sure. Great review.
Yet another solid review you two! I have the Laphroaig 25 year 2013, 2014, and 2015 (black labels) still available in my area. All at the same price. Any recommendation / your order of choice for those?
You can find a few places out there with these around the 400 + 30-40 shipping. But US prices are pushing 650-750 now :( That said I love this one! But the 2018 is my favorite.
We spend our money the way we want. Everybody here enjoys spending on whisky. However, for that kind of money I can get a return flight to Madrid and stay a few nights in a decent place with plenty of good meals and entertainment. Is a single bottle of whisky better than that? It's an open question.
@@welshtoro3256 I don't think i can get on a plane and get a hotel anywhere for 400-500 for multiple nights. Let alone food. That said you'd have to pay me to fly to madrid and stay a couple of nights. And it wouldn't be cheap either, I'd want 2 bottles of laphroiag 25.
@@topshelfdustin3060 Nice one Dustin. Like I say, we all spend our money as we choose. Madrid is an example but you get what I'm saying. Whisky or other stuff. Folk like us are so intense about whisky but I think we have to put it in to perspective sometimes.
@@welshtoro3256 Always something else out there. But for now, my fun money is going to whisky. I do have my eye on a watch for my 40th in a few years.
This is on the my favorites releases of the 25, To thin? I can see that... the 2018 is 52% and all ex-bourbon which offer's the a much oilier mouthfeel.
@@welshtoro3256 My friend, you know I would normally agree, but it's a 25 yo Islay Single Malt for $130 in 2022; they had to cut corners somewhere. If ABV is a deal breaker, then there's a very very solid NAS Islay Gold Lorcan @ 46% for $28.
@@MrChristopherMolloy I hear you but (sorry) 40%? Let's just get it up to 43%. Islay malt, no matter what age, needs some oomph. 40% is dishwater unless it costs £30.
LP25 can be worth 1 million, if a piece of rock is worth 1 million . . . then again, i can get an 15 for 100$ and use the rest to feed about 8 tables of 10 homeless folks (HOGO) . . . just me. I DO have Macallan 10 cs 58.8% from 2002-2003 , now WORTH 600 $/half bottle of 333mL
Always have such mixed feelings about these cask strength 25-year-olds. They've got hints of what made Laphroaig great but batch variation and price makes it tricky. 2015 was my favourite so far, then 2018. Speaks volumes that the 25 year old cask strength still can't get to the level that the 10 year-old was on for so many decades. Cheers guys!
Of course, not much can get close to those epic 10 year olds. Cheers buddy!!!
Honest assessment.
I have one unopened waiting for that special time.
Cheers 🥃
Today is tuesday, only happens once a week. Seems special enough to me :)
You wont be disappointed when you do!!! Cheers!!
I think at this point I'm more interested in what you guys do for a living to afford all these crazy bottles lol
LOL
I thinking exactly the same
Super aged Islay is always a tricky proposition. When they are great they are spectacular but more often than not they tend to lose all the things that make them an Islay whisky. That’s a great price and score though and seems like a really nice value. Thanks for the review.
I hear you Cato. I think for $400 its very hard to pass up. Cheers bud!
I picked up two bottles of Laphroaig 25 for £189 each from a Spanish wine website a few years ago. I think they are the 2013 or 2014 and bottled at 45% cask strength. I've got through one of them and enjoyed it very much. I agree with your notes that there is a lot of soft white fruit, glazed ham with a gentle Islay peat threaded through it. I actually appreciated the 45% abv because I felt that the whisky had reduced to a perfect harmony. If I want a slap in the face Laphroaig I'll buy something younger. It's a refined flavour you can only experience with old whisky. However, I've had younger and far cheaper Laphroaigs, usually from the independents, which are every bit as enjoyable.
Is it worth $500? Nope, not for me anyway. Much as I like the 25 I'd rather have five bottles of those than one bottle of the 25. I guess if your pocket is deep enough it's not an issue. It's delicious stuff though and all lovers of top level whisky should try to experience a whisky like this in the course of their whisky journey. What saddens me is that those relatively new to the world of whisky on regular salaries will find that impossible to justify. When I paid £378 for my two bottles I justified it to my wife as an investment. (I've never flipped my whisky.) One is polished off already and the other is for a rainy day because I'll never pay $500 for any routinely released whisky. I know you guys pay top dollar but that stuff has historical interest and that what real collecting and enjoyment is about. (I have other collections outside whisky.) Cheers guys. Welsh
For me when I got to the point where I had so many bottles open already where adding 5 of the same didn't excite me the way it used to. I preferred to get that one special bottle instead since I have so many cheaper/value bottles already that I can reach for anytime. But I totally understand and respect your thought process behind purchasing your whiskies. Cheers buddy!!!
Actual price of 2017release i find in online UK shop is....£550. So you guys lucky to enjoy it. I enjoy your review. Good stuff 🙋♂️
Thank you!! Yah I can see prices going fast
Great review guyz :) I have found this on a website in Europe for 420 euro a couple of weeks ago and been really thinking about it. Maybe your video was a sign that I have to pull the trigger, cheers :D
Thank you! Its def a good one! Cheers!!!
I don't seek out current Laphroaig, because of the medicinal and iodine characteristics you mentioned. I've never had a older Laphroaig, but they sound different then the current expressions for sure. Great review.
Yah if you go to much older Laphroaigs its very fruity with sweet delicate peat
Great review!
Thank you!
Yet another solid review you two! I have the Laphroaig 25 year 2013, 2014, and 2015 (black labels) still available in my area. All at the same price. Any recommendation / your order of choice for those?
Oh man, its hard to think back but I would go 2014
You can find a few places out there with these around the 400 + 30-40 shipping. But US prices are pushing 650-750 now :( That said I love this one! But the 2018 is my favorite.
Ya, I wont be surprised if they are all around $600+ soon.
We spend our money the way we want. Everybody here enjoys spending on whisky. However, for that kind of money I can get a return flight to Madrid and stay a few nights in a decent place with plenty of good meals and entertainment. Is a single bottle of whisky better than that? It's an open question.
@@welshtoro3256 I don't think i can get on a plane and get a hotel anywhere for 400-500 for multiple nights. Let alone food. That said you'd have to pay me to fly to madrid and stay a couple of nights. And it wouldn't be cheap either, I'd want 2 bottles of laphroiag 25.
@@topshelfdustin3060 Nice one Dustin. Like I say, we all spend our money as we choose. Madrid is an example but you get what I'm saying. Whisky or other stuff. Folk like us are so intense about whisky but I think we have to put it in to perspective sometimes.
@@welshtoro3256 Always something else out there. But for now, my fun money is going to whisky. I do have my eye on a watch for my 40th in a few years.
What do you guys recommend for single malt between $100-150 range without going nowhere near $500 ?
This My all time favorite whiskey I’ve ever tried
Its def a good one!! Cheers!!
I have noticed that prices for Laphroaig IB's are getting insane. This seems like a reasonable buy.
Ya I dont think it will get much cheaper than $400 for a 25 year old
This is on the my favorites releases of the 25, To thin? I can see that... the 2018 is 52% and all ex-bourbon which offer's the a much oilier mouthfeel.
Its an excellent one Mike!! I really like this delicate/refined style and Laphroaig is not trying to get 2k for it like some other big names.
these are starting pop up at $599+.....might have to grab another at $499 while I still can. Cheers!
Ya I can def see prices going up as other big names charge more for a 25 year old. Cheers!!
Total Wine and More has a 25 yo Islay Gold @ 40% for $130. It might've been interesting to have compared the two ✌️
Never tried that one
@@maltreviews ...yet ✌️
40% though? That's not a starter really.
@@welshtoro3256 My friend, you know I would normally agree, but it's a 25 yo Islay Single Malt for $130 in 2022; they had to cut corners somewhere.
If ABV is a deal breaker, then there's a very very solid NAS Islay Gold Lorcan @ 46% for $28.
@@MrChristopherMolloy I hear you but (sorry) 40%? Let's just get it up to 43%. Islay malt, no matter what age, needs some oomph. 40% is dishwater unless it costs £30.
Not a 90. Prefer laphroaig 18
LP25 can be worth 1 million, if a piece of rock is worth 1 million . . . then again, i can get an 15 for 100$ and use the rest to feed about 8 tables of 10 homeless folks (HOGO) . . . just me. I DO have Macallan 10 cs 58.8% from 2002-2003 , now WORTH 600 $/half bottle of 333mL
Those older 10's are excellent!! Cheers!
Guys you're reviews sounds pish. Enjoy the 10 year old for $35.
This is much better than the 10
@@maltreviews Yea but how much, £450 much?