Review # 176: 1997 Laphroaig 16 Year Old K&L Exclusive Signatory Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Malt Whisky

Islay - 16- NCF- NCA - $140 - 55.1%

I got this as an unsolicited gift as thanks for a giveaway.  It is an IB and I don't see a ton about it online.  It is cask strength x-bourbon Frog, so that is a great start.  

Color - Russet

Nose - Medicinal peat, iodine, diesel, sugar in the raw, peaches, geraniums, fishing ropes

Palate - Apples, motor oil, fabric softener, band-aids, brine

Finish - Long -  Iodine, ginger, smoked oysters, brine

Overall - 9 - Holy crap is this tasty.  As a Laphroaig fan boy, I am in love with this whisky.  It is peaty, briney, fruity, floral but while being complex and balanced.  I have had a lot of frogs over the years, but this is my favorite, better than the 27 year old and better than the Cadenshead anniversary I paid almost twice as much for.  

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.91

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16