Urgent Report! New Release: Laphroaig 15 Year Old Official 200th Anniversary Bottle

My heart trembled with the deliciousness that did not disappoint. LAPHROAIG 15yo OB TO CELEBRATE THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF LAPHROAIG 43% The aroma features apricot jam, chocolate-covered oranges and grapefruits, vanilla cream, strong peat and smoke with iodine notes, mellowed barley, faint leather, rich, smooth mouthfeel expanding into tropical fruits like pineapple and passion fruit, orange, crème brûlée, seawater, seaweed iodine, subtle smokiness with a hint of charcoal, the fruity sweetness is strong but remains refined, delicate umami with dashi-like nuances, slight viscosity and chewiness, the finish lingers with pleasant tropical fruits and iodine, leaving a sense of intoxication. 【Very Good】 (Emotionally Excellent) This official 15-year-old bottling celebrates the 200th anniversary of Laphroaig Distillery. A so-called bicentennial bottling, this 15-year-old will be released in tens of thousands of bottles with the same specifications. However, initially 2,500 bottles were sold exclusively to 'Friends of LAPHROAIG' before wider distribution. On release day, the Laphroaig website crashed, making it difficult to purchase. Ultimately, it sold out by the next day. Through my passion for Laphroaig and sheer determination, I managed to purchase it. I learned of its delivery in the early morning after a sleepless night and a full day's work, feeling exhausted but unable to resist. I immediately took it to Yurakucho to open it right away. The label and bottle clearly state '200th Anniversary,' instantly elevating my mood. I had been anticipating this for so long. Regarding the crucial contents... it perfectly matched my expectations in aroma. The official bottling's strong iodine and tropical fruit notes were already well-blended from the start, with the flavor leaning more fruity over time. The tropical fruitiness reminiscent of crème brûlée was a pleasant surprise, and unlike recent Laphroaig releases with smoky char or charcoal notes, this one clearly emphasizes iodine-forward peatiness. Overall balanced with strong iodine and faint leather notes, giving depth beyond typical fruity Laphroaigs. Despite being diluted, its softness and richness are unexpected for its aging years, with a warm, gentle expansion. The joy of celebrating the 200th anniversary clearly comes through. The dilution also contributes to an excellent drinking experience, making it easy to enjoy multiple glasses. I wished for slightly higher alcohol content and more body, but that's a bit of a greedy wish. Without dilution, I might not have been so moved upon opening. Still, this is my favorite Laphroaig bicentennial bottling I've been eagerly awaiting for years. While hoping it would meet expectations, I was relieved and satisfied after tasting. I drank this while extremely physically and mentally exhausted, and its ability to instantly rejuvenate my soul was remarkable. Also, the fact that my desired flavor profile aligned with what the distillery aimed to achieve in this bicentennial bottling was particularly satisfying. Indeed, I'm a Laphroaig enthusiast. Incidentally, besides this 15-year-old, there are also upcoming releases of the 21-year-old and 32-year-old. However, considering bottling quantities, competition rates, and prices, I suspect these two might be difficult to acquire. Still, as a Laphroaig lover, I'd love to taste at least one of them somewhere. Additionally, there's rumor that tens of thousands (50,000? 70,000?) bottles of this 15-year-old will be released. Given that number, multiple batches are likely involved, even if they share the same specifications. I'm very curious how future batches might compare in flavor to this one. Finally, I sincerely congratulate Laphroaig Distillery on its 200th anniversary. Looking forward to future exceptional bottlings.