Whisky Review: Laphroaig 27 Year Old

Normally I’m not a huge fan of double-maturation, but it really does works some magick in this case. Distillery Manager John Campbell has something to be proud of when it comes to Laphroaig 27 Year Old. Indeed, the bottle and handsome box would make the perfect Christmas gift for both collector and connoisseur alike (with the collector opening his gift, but refusing to open the bottle).rnrnSo how does this whisky compare with other grand old Laphroaig releases? Well, I tasted the 32 Year Old last year, so let me see. . . . . By comparing my notes, it does appear that I liked the 32 even more. In fact, If I were brutally honest, I would say the price/performance ratio was quite a bit higher for that bottle–meaning it was a better buy, even though it cost about 10-15 percent more.rnrnI know, I know, purists be damned with their talk of Islay whiskies being perfect without the influence of fortified wine casks. In the case of Laphroaig’s 32 Year-Old, sweet Oloroso-enriched oak, combined with perfectly dialed-in peat smoke, was enough to make my head spin like a charmed dervish. This said, either the 32 Year-Old, or its slightly younger, ex-bourbon sibling wins in my book. Speaking of which, the handsome box cradling both of these venerable old releases brings to mind the outward appearance of Warehouse No. 1, like unto a whited sepulcher.rnrnSuffice it to say that Laphroaig 27 Year Old has Whisky Kirk’s seal of approval. Git it while the gittin’s good–that is, if your wallet is amenable. The stuff is selling faster than sin on a Saturday night. In fact, if my Internet sleuthing is any indication, then a majority of major retailers are already sold out. For those of you who feel less than motivated to buy, despite sitting on a wallet fat enough to displace the natural curvature of your spine, well . . . good luck finding a bottle after Christmas.