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Archives for September 25, 2015

Laphroaig Live 2015!

September 25, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Laphroaig is this year celebrating 200 years!

Laphroaig is this year celebrating 200 years!

Laphroaig Live has a lot to celebrate this year. Apart from the anticipated showcase of new expressions they are also celebrating their 200th. birthday.

Apart from that, the event also featured an appearance by ‘Highlander’ actor Sam Heughan who, if Twitter is to be believed, proved to be very popular indeed!

The drams sampled for this years event were:-

  • Laphroaig 15 Year Old
  • Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015
  • Laphroaig 21 Year Old
  • Laphroaig 32 Year Old

Sampling the whiskies was amongst others, John Campbell – Laphroaig’s distillery manager, Emma Andersson – Editor of one of the world’s most respected whisky magazines Allt Om Whisky and Bernhard Schafer – whisky journalist and Master Of The Quiach.

The one hour online show had a little bit for everyone. There was music, Sam Heughan, a flaky live link to New York (they could have left that out really), Sam Heughan, whisky sampling and some nice views of the distillery and some smoking peat. Oh and did I mention Sam Heughan was there?

If you want to catch up on what all the tasters had to say you can view the tweets by searching for the hash tag #laphroaiglive on Twitter.

So, what did I think?

Here are my tasting notes … and the one which was my favourite on the night!

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 15 Year Old (43%)

The 15 year old was last commercially produced in 2008 after being superseded by the 18 year old. Since then it’s gathered an iconic status.


Nose: Rich fruit and the unmistakable aromas of peat and smoke abound.

Palate: Smokey sweetness with a hint of toffee and vanilla.

Finish: Peppery spice and a long smokey finish top this dram off perfectly.

Overall: A fine dram. Rounded and well finished with that morish quality that keeps you sipping!

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 (51%)

This whisky is John’s interpretation of how Laphroaig would have been produced at the distillery 200 years ago. Distilled using only smaller stills and using cold smoked peat it is non-chill filtered and bottled without colouring.


Nose: Some real fruitiness hits you with this dram. The smokiness is very faint and there’s even a trace of mint!

Palate: Strong and full bodied with a fruity sweetness. The peat is well to the fore with this dram and there’s also a little liquorice.

Finish: Smooth, short finish with a dry smokiness to it.

Overall: A tougher dram than the 15yo – very traditional and a whisky that must have kept the islanders toasty and warm 200 years ago!

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 21 Year Old (48.4%)

A limited edition distilled in 1993 and matured in a mix of barrels to intensify it’s flavours. It is non-chill filtered and natural colour.


Nose: Sweet vanilla and sugary fruits. Interesting that the signature peatiness is absent.

Palate: Lovely and sweet with a hint of fruit. A smooth dram.

Finish: Long smooth finish with a welcome spiciness to balance the sweet flavours. There’s some dry tobacco in there as well.

Overall: A cultured Laphroaig that loses a lot of it’s traditional strong flavours. Not that this is a negative, more of an alternative!

Tasting Notes – Laphroaig 32 Year Old (46.7%)

Only 6000 bottles of this expression have been produced – a very rare Laphroaig indeed! John also mentioned that there are some 34 yr old whiskies in there as well. Not surprisingly, this dram was the nights most anticipated!


Nose: Rich, sweet sherry, creamy vanilla, toasted almonds.

Palate: Tropical fruits abound with vanilla toffee

Finish: Dry, slightly spicy, rich and full bodied.

Overall: Once again, very muted in the smoke n’ peat department – this seems to be the destiny of older Laphroaigs.

My Favourite On The Night

Out of the four, I think it’s got to be the Laphroaig 15 Year Old.
Yeah, I could go for the 32 year old but most people will never get the chance to sample it (and I probably never will again!)
For me, the 15 has everything you expct from a Laphroaig and the reason everyone heads for the dram in the first place. Peat, smoke, vanilla and a warm fireside feeling!

Many thanks to Laphroaig for sending the samples and without whom!

Laphroaig is available to buy from these Whisky Merchants:-

  • Edencroft Fine Wine & Spirit Specialists
  • Abbey Whisky
  • Master of Malt
  • The Whisky Exchange
  • Whisky Online
  • The Whisky Barrel
  • The Green Welly Stop

Filed Under: Laphroaig, Laphroaig Live, Laphroaig Live 2015

Ballantine’s All Set For An ‘Artistic’ Christmas!

September 25, 2015 by Gary Leave a Comment

Ballantine's 12 Tin - Artist Series

Ballantine’s 12 Tin – Artist Series

Ballantine’s has unveiled a unique range of three limited edition gift packs exclusively designed for the brand by renowned artist Leif Podhajsky ahead of Christmas 2015. The striking new packs are the first launch in the ‘Artist Series’, an initiative that will see Ballantine’s collaborate with a different creative talent every year.

Leif Podhajsky has created some of the most distinctive and beautiful album artwork of the last decade and music fans will instantly recognise his sonically-inspired landscapes inspired by the natural world. Staying true to his creative origins, the collaboration with Ballantine’s as part of the Artist Series has allowed Podhajsky to take inspiration from the award-winning Scotch whisky as well as the stunning, natural landscapes of Scotland, resulting in three beautiful limited edition designs.

Ballantine's Finest Tin - Artist Series

Ballantine’s Finest Tin – Artist Series

Ballantine's Finest Sleeve - Artist Series

Ballantine’s Finest Sleeve – Artist Series

Each distinctive gift pack design references the Ballantine’s story in separate ways. The Ballantine’s Finest Tin captures the movement of the liquid, inspired by the complexity, depth and gold colour of this renowned whisky blend. The Ballantine’s Neoprene Finest Sleeve takes inspiration from two of the most vital and natural elements involved in the whisky production process: fire and water. The Ballantine’s 12 Year Old Tin is an abstract interpretation of Scotland’s unique scenery, capturing the light of the sky, the rugged nature of Scotland’s Highlands region and the country’s flowing streams.

Before starting on the designs for Ballantine’s I spent time in Scotland exploring the wild, natural landscapes and understanding the whisky-making process. Immersing myself in the subject’s culture is how I begin when designing album cover artwork. From this point, images start to form organically. The Ballantine’s ‘Artist Series’ partnership was an extremely rewarding project to work on, giving me complete creative freedom and allowing me to stay true to my own artistic style.
– Leif Podhajsky: Artist

At Ballantine’s we are passionate about supporting artists that share the ethos of staying true to themselves. It has been a great pleasure to work with an artist as creative, distinctive and as innovative as Leif on our inaugural partnership for the Artist Series.

Providing excellent on-shelf standout thanks to his eye-catching designs, the limited editions present a modern take on our celebrated Ballantine’s whisky, so we are certain they will be a must have for whisky and art connoisseurs alike.
– Peter Moore: Global Brand Director for Ballantine’s

The Ballantine’s Artist Series Limited Edition Gift Packs will be available globally from the end of October at the same price as Ballantine’s Finest and Ballantine’s 12 Year Old.

Filed Under: Ballantines, Christmas, News

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