Laphroaig Strong Character 33 Year Old Chapter 1 (43.8% abv)

Laphroaig 33 Year Old Strong Characters is a single malt Scotch whisky that celebrates the history of the Laphroaig distillery and the strong characters that have contributed so significantly to it. In this case, the distillery co-founder Donald Johnston, who set up the distillery with his brother, Alexander, in 1815. He features on the whisky’s packaging in an illustration by artist Bill Bragg, who will also illustrate each edition in the series. This Islay whisky was aged for 33 years in a combination of American oak barrels and European oak sherry hogsheads, giving it a distinctive smoky character and robust flavour profile. It was bottled at 43.8% ABV.

Nose: Notes of crème brûlée, stewed rhubarb and apple with custard. Creamy soft fudge is followed by heather honey, freshly baked sourdough bread and a briny sea spray.

Palate: The gentle sherry influence has added notes of fruit cake and subtle spice.

Finish: The peat element reveals savoury aromas of smoked ham, cured mackerel, and a herbal, almost grassy smoke. A splash of water brings forth more prominent notes of peat smoke.