Two centuries of Laphroaig

Islay single malt Laphroaig turns 200 this year and the distillery is celebrating its bicentennial with the release of a limited edition Laphroaig 15 year old.

First launched over 30 years ago, the 15 year old malt has a lower level of peat but a higher bottling strength of 43% ABV, which is said to give the whisky a “mellow, rounded taste” with a flavour profile of “briny orchard fruits adding bite and depth” and a “rich and smoky” overall feel.

Laphroaig distillery manager John Campbell made the decision to re-release the 15 wyear old expression for the distillery’s anniversary.

The whisky is said to have been chosen to pay homage to the original edition while also introducing new Laphroaig drinkers to an expression they may not have tasted yet.

The launch of the limited edition whisky is being supported by the ‘200 Opinions Wanted’ campaign – a competition which will display two hundred of the “most unique” opinions on individual tiles on the Laphroaig distillery wall.

The authors of a selection of chosen opinions will also win a trip to Islay to attend “Laphroaig Live”, a whisky-themed event which returns to the distillery for the first time in nine years.

In addition to the 200 year anniversary of Laphroaig, 2015 also marks the 21st birthday of Friends of Laphroaig, the brand’s fan and supporters group. Aspects of this year’s Laphroaig Live programme have been designed to highlight this.