New Release: Laphroaig 1993 21 Year Old Friends of Laphroaig 21st Anniversary

A heartfelt commemorative bottle. Laphroaig LAPHROAIG 1993 21yo OB for FRIENDS OF LAPHROAIG 21 Years of Friendship 48.4% The aroma is strong and fruity, with grapefruit peel, guava, faint passion fruit, a touch of cheese, vanilla, a matured malty sweetness, damp earth and grass, and a moderate presence of seaweed minerals and iodine. The palate begins with a smooth mouthfeel, expanding into a powerful, aromatic complexity. Fruity notes are diverse and tropical, with juicy fruit sweetness and citrus acidity, seaweed brininess, a slightly chewy texture, and a moist, savory maltiness. Earthy undertones, pleasant oak, smoky peat dominance, slightly oily with a full-bodied structure and long finish. [Very Good] As the second release of Laphroaig's Bicentenary series, it was known beforehand that this would be a 21-year-old cask strength bottling. However, upon opening the bottle, it turned out to be a surprise: a 21st-anniversary commemorative bottling for Friends of Laphroaig (foL), and a half-bottle exclusively released to foL members. The vintage is 1993, aged for 21 years. 'Friends of Laphroaig' is a fan club-like organization established in 1994, now entering its 21st year. Anyone who has purchased even one official Laphroaig bottle can register via the official website. Initially, it was a lottery sale on the foL site, but due to its relatively high price, sales were not as robust. Consequently, it has remained available for purchase on the foL site even after the lottery period. Winning the lottery was incredibly exciting, but I felt a slightly ambivalent emotion. (laughs) Regarding the core content, the aroma is undeniably rich with 1993's fruity character. The citrus notes are unmistakable grapefruit, with tropical nuances like guava and passion fruit. A strong, savory maltiness remains, accompanied by mineral notes with a seaweed-like quality and assertive peat. The distinctive iodine is present, though perhaps slightly restrained for an official bottling. Additionally, the absence of charcoal or ash-like smokiness is personally refreshing. On the palate, it expands with a powerful, aromatic complexity. It's highly fruity, with juicy fruit sweetness and acidity, briny seaweed notes, and a pleasant oakiness or earthy undertones that deepen the flavor profile. While it has aging character, there's no off-putting bitterness. It feels like a Laphroaig that has been appropriately matured in good bourbon casks. It seems to be an extension of the 15-year-old diluted version released as the first Bicentenary bottling, but more profound and robust. The alcohol strength is slightly higher than average, providing sufficient body, yet it leans more towards a high-level balanced style with fruity dominance rather than the typical iodine-heavy or powerfully bodied profiles. This is a remarkable Laphroaig that makes one hesitate between VG and E ratings. Regarding this bottle, due to its high price of £99 for a half-bottle, there were several posts on Laphroaig's online store expressing sentiments like 'too expensive' or 'you're not even a friend (of Laphroaig)'. But is it really that expensive? Well, considering the full bottle would cost nearly ¥40,000, it's certainly not cheap at first glance. However, considering it's an official bottling from a popular Islay distillery, with a 1993 vintage (a highly sought-after year), and an unknown cask strength but higher than average alcohol content, it's not unreasonable compared to similar releases. For example, last year's 1991 bottling for Germany sold out at a similar price point. In terms of specifications alone, the pricing doesn't seem excessive. Additionally, the cylinder containing this 21-year-old bottle includes a message expressing gratitude to Friends of Laphroaig (foL) and detailing the history of foL. Reading it brought a genuine sense of happiness. Most importantly, the content is undeniably delicious. Most people who posted on the site didn't mention the contents, and likely haven't even tasted it. If someone writes negatively about something without having experienced it, who is truly not a friend? Personally, I think the 15-year-old Bicentenary or this year's 100% Floor Malting Carthage are priced too low. I'm also disappointed with Suntory's (the owner) attitude of undervaluing domestic enthusiasts, as seen in their delayed release of the Bicentenary 15-year-old. However, regarding Laphroaig's recent Bicentenary-related releases, I support all of them. #Laphroaig (LAPHROAIG)