Often on Scotch Whisky Legends, I will find myself writing about old vintage, high-age statement whiskies such as the Bowmore 1966 Samaroli or the Dalmore 50 Year Old. So, it is refreshing to see a whisky on the list that has a relatively low age statement, and no vintage. It just goes to show that while there is a correlation between age and the quality of a whisky, it is not a causation.
Of the 500+ Laphroaig expressions sampled by Serge Valentin of WhiskyFun, his current favorite is a Laphroaig 10 Year Old, bottled around 1978 for import into Italy by Bonfanti Milano.
Laphroaig In The 1970s
Laphroaig was ahead of its time in terms of its global marketing, thanks to Ian Hunter and Bessie Williamson. Hunter, who was at the helm of Laphroaig in the 1920s, was able to successfully market Laphroaig in the USA during Prohibition as a medicinal whisky. As such, Laphroaig had quite a large global presence by the time Bessie Williamson took control of the distillery in 1954.
This globalization was increased when Seager Evans & Co. bought a ⅓ share in the distillery in 1962. The company had fully acquired Laphroaig by 1967.
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Then, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Laphroaig underwent an expansion, going from four stills to seven in the space of five years. By this time, Laphroaig was synonymous with the medicinal, peat-smoked whisky produced on Islay.
Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s Bonfanti Import
The Laphroaig 10 Year Old Bonfanti Import was bottled sometime in the 1970s (Serge estimates 1978) for import into Italy at 43% ABV. It is highly likely that the 10 Year Old was matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks, as Ian Hunter had pioneered this maturation method following trips to the US in the 1920s.
These rare 10 Year Old Laphroaigs are considered some of the best Laphroaig whiskies ever bottled. Serge seems to agree.
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All in all, there is not a whole lot to say about this 10 Year Old. It is a bit of a mystery. Even Bonfanti Milano, the Italian importer, is shrouded in mystery. If you type ‘Bonfanti Milano’ into a search engine, the top results are for a rare book shop and a handbag designer. Add ‘whisky’ to the end of the search term and you will be presented with an array of Laphroaigs and Caol Ilas.
Anyway, we can assume that the whisky is colored and watered down to its 43% strength. However, this low ABV does nothing to take away from the beautiful, smoky flavors of the whisky.
Serge Valentin’s Tasting Notes On The Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s Bonfanti Import
Serge Valentin had the opportunity sample the Laphroaig 10 Year Old 1970s Bonfanti Import in December of 2004.
The whisky was so good, that it stunned him into silence:
“This version was bottled just before the ‘unblended’ ones (see the October 10 entry).
“Nose: absolutely stupendous, on all sorts of fresh and cooked fruits. It left me speechless…
“Mouth: fabulous attack on peat and spices, with tons of dried fruits and dried herbs. An incredible richness, brilliantly elegant.
The best Laphroaig I have ever tasted, punto basta. I know, these notes were short, but I’ve been stunned. 96 points.” – Serge Valentin, WhiskyFun.com, December 2004
Auction Prices
It is pretty much impossible to know how many of these Laphroaig 10 Year Olds ended up in the Italian market. However, according to my research, only 67 of them have appeared at auction the UK and Europe, with the first appearing in 2018.
The current auction record for this bottle is £4,400, achieved at Whisky Auctioneer in April 2023.
A Brief History of Laphroaig Distillery
Laphroaig Distillery, one of the most iconic producers of single malt Scotch whisky, was established in 1815 by brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston on the Isle of Islay, Scotland. The distillery quickly gained a reputation for its distinctive, peated whisky, characterized by its bold, smoky flavor profile.
The distillery remained in the Johnston family for over a century until 1954, when Ian Hunter, the last Johnston family member to run Laphroaig, passed away. Hunter left control of the distillery to his secretary, Bessie Williamson, who became the first female distillery manager in Scotland. Under her leadership, Laphroaig flourished. The distillery was acquired by Seager Evans & Co. in 1967, and Williamson retired in 1972.
Throughout the 20th century, Laphroaig maintained its commitment to traditional methods, such as floor malting and peat drying, which contribute to its distinctive character. Its unique flavor profile, often described as medicinal and maritime, has won Laphroaig a cult following worldwide.
In 1994, Laphroaig was awarded a Royal Warrant by then-Prince Charles (now Charles III), and continued to grow its customer base with the establishment of Friends of Laphroaig.
Today, Laphroaig is owned by Suntory Global Spirits. The distillery’s commitment to quality and authenticity has made it a revered name among whisky enthusiasts, with Laphroaig’s 10 Year Old being a long-beloved expression.
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