Hart Brothers (distilled at Laphroaig), 1990 vintage, 18 year old, 46%, $135
Bottled at 46% and not chill-filtered. Smart move! It really helps this whisky. This is a soft — almost elegant — Laphroaig (if that’s not an oxymoron). Very clean, with honeyed malt, ripe barley, brine, seaweed, and peat smoke, with just a teasing of the medicinal, band-aid notes that Laphroaig is known for. The owner-bottled 18 year old, which I rated a 90, is darker and drier, with more oak on the finish. I like this Hart Brothers expression just a little better.
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 91
It’s hard to believe that this is even lighter than the current Laph 18, which for all its 48 % seems a little thin to me– But I will be keeping my eye out for this one nevertheless.
48% seems to be a sweet spot for the lower intensity Laphroaigs. It works well for the Quarter Cask as well. I find the distillery 18 to be on the mellow side, but it goes fast if I don’t warm up with some Cask Strength or Quarter Cask.
I had not heard of band-aid notes before. Is that like a band-aid right out of the package.. or a used one?
Certainly not used…
i don’t think anyone is sniffing used band-aids long enough to remember what it smells like.