Review #1249 – Laphroaig 16yr Signatory Vintage 1998

This is an independent bottling of spirit distilled at Laphroaig. Bottled by Signatory vintage, this release was matured in a refill sherry butt after 16 years and was bottled at 46% ABV without any coloring or filtering. We don’t see a ton of IB Frog much these days, so I’m really looking forward to this one. Let’s dive in.

Review #1249 | Scotch Review #431

Distiller: Laphroaig

Bottler: Laphroaig

Selection: N/A

ABV: 46% ABV

Age: 16 Years

Nose: Rich caramel, lemon zest and brine. Lots of iodine, dead sea things, muddy peat and a load of fresh baked bread. Yeasty, sweet, pungent. Its quintessential Laphroaig on the nose.

Taste: Thick and rich. Sweet honey, melon and caramel. Pralines, amaretto, nougat. Some peat coming in here with brine, pepper and burning wood. This quickly transitions to rotting, brine, muddy peat. Pungent and smoky. Ashy and intense.

Finish: Short in length but also mild. No heat to be spoken of. Rich caramel, lemon, bbq and bandage-y ash.

Overall: Really nice, but not the best Laphroaig out there. Its on profile for sure, and enjoyable.

Thanks for reading!

Rank: 6

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Decoded:

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect