Laphroaig Unveils The Archive Collection 38 Year Old

Laphroaig has announced the release of the second edition in its Archive Collection, Laphroaig 38 Year Old.

Each release in the Archive Collection is a celebration of Laphroaig’s history and the whisky makers behind its story. Laphroaig 38 Old is amongst the rarest whisky crafted in the same spirit of old-style Laphroaig from the distillery’s early years. It has been watched over for almost four decades by seven of Laphroaig’s Distillery Managers, beginning with Murdo Reed. Murdo was followed by Colin Ross, Iain Henderson, Robin Shields, John Campbell, Barry McAffer, and most recently, George Campbell.

Laphroaig Archive Collection 38 Year Old was initially matured in American ex-bourbon casks, followed by a finish in a second-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead, and a final maturation in an Oloroso sherry-seasoned European oak butt. Laphroaig Archive Collection 38 Year Old is bottled at a cask strength of 41.3% ABV.

Official tasting notes for Laphroaig Archive Collection 38 Year Old follow:

Nose: Beautifully spicy with a mixture of dried fruits, raisins and dates, with caramelised orange peel and cherry blossom undertones and a faint whiff of fresh tobacco. Adding water reveals heightened spiced orange notes and a gentle smouldering campfire.

Taste: Smooth and complex, initially with dried apricots and sultanas with a salted caramel creaminess. A spiciness remains – like crystallised ginger, cloves and a touch of aniseed. The peat gives a peppery sensation in the mouth along with an oily texture (smoked mackerel), which is well balanced by the sweetness.

Laphroaig Archive Collection 38 Year Old is presented in a hand-blown glass bottle with a textured neck inspired by sea glass found on the beaches of Islay.

Laphroaig Archive Collection 38 Year Old is limited to 400 bottles globally and carries a recommended retail price of £4,100 /$4,300 / €4,760.

Source: Laphroaig.

• Islay
• Laphroaig
• Laphroaig Archive Collection
• Scotch
• Single Malt