Laphroaig 1987-2006 Official La Maison du Whisky 50th Anniversary 53.4%

This time, I finally got a clear impression. Laphroaig LAPHROAIG 1987-2006 Own Bottling (OB) for La Maison du Whisky 50th Anniversary 53.4% The aroma features bitter orange, vanilla, strong iodine and seaweed-like peat with a briny coastal character, moderate grain notes, coconut and oil, richness. On the palate, it has a thick, weighty mouthfeel that feels more substantial than its ABV, expanding with a rich and aromatic profile. It offers a slightly powdery, concentrated texture with a satisfying bite, orange marmalade, a sweet and rich flavor with deep oak tannins, subtle seafood dashi and malty umami, powerful yet non-charred smoky peat with strong iodine notes. Rich and powerful, with a long finish. 【Very Good】 This bottle was released in 2006 as part of La Maison du Whisky's 50th anniversary celebration, featuring Laphroaig 1987 aged for approximately 19 years. Mr. Robert Hicks selected the casks and performed the vatting. The aroma exhibits a slightly aged Laphroaig character with citrusy fruit notes, elements of bourbon-style vanilla and coconut, alongside the signature seaweed-like iodine-rich strong peat that defines Laphroaig. On the palate, it is extremely powerful with a heavy, coating weight and thickness, along with a concentrated texture that provides a satisfying bite. Compared to the aroma, it offers greater complexity with a concentrated fruity character, rich sweetness, deep oak astringency, and high-level balance of rich seafood and malty umami. As with the aroma, it feels powerful with strong iodine peat notes, but unlike recent Laphroaig releases, it lacks the charcoal-like characteristics, making it a very enjoyable flavor. This is truly a classic official Laphroaig bottling, with subtle signs of aging that made me feel happy. Interestingly, I had tried this bottle multiple times upon its release but didn't immediately connect with it. At that time, the fruitiness felt more reserved, but now it's emerging without compromising the body, making it even more to my taste. That said, this bottle has long been highly regarded and traded at high prices. Perhaps I simply hadn't fully appreciated its true value before. A classic, delicious Laphroaig.