New Release: Laphroaig 2002-2014 12 Year Old Official Highgrove #6076

It was a relief to have the Highgrove back with its familiar flavor. Laphroaig LAPHROAIG 2002-2014 12yo OB HIGHGROVE #6076 46% The aroma is elegant, with fresh grapefruit and citrus notes, plum, young melon with ham, dry barley, gentle iodine, strong smoke. When drinking it is also elegant, with grapefruit, passion fruit, strong plum wine, light peach mineral water, slightly damp barley, fruity sweetness, good acidity, strong smoke with iodine, light charcoal-like notes. It lacks body but has a pleasant aftertaste. [Good/Very Good] This is the latest release of Laphroaig's official Highgrove, matured for 12 years from a distillation in 2002. It is bottled at 46% ABV as a single cask. The aroma is elegant, with strong citrus notes of grapefruit often found in refill casks of Laphroaig, as well as hints of plum and melon. Compared to the standard version, it is slightly milder but still has iodine and a clear smoky character. When drinking, it is as elegant and light as the aroma, with a tropical feel from passion fruit and a strong nuance of plum wine. Although it lacks the thickness of body typical for Laphroaig, the peat-derived components are strong, and the barley notes remain in good balance. The fruity sweetness and acidity leave a pleasant aftertaste. Overall, it was a Laphroaig centered around elegant fruity notes. Highgrove usually, although the specifications are unclear, is known for being matured in standard first-fill bourbon casks. Compared to that, Highgrove has a more fruity and light, elegant character. However, the previous one I drank from 2012 was matured in a quarter cask and had a strong bourbon character. The label wasn't the refined white either, which is a bit regrettable now that I think about it. This one, however, has both the aroma and label as expected from the traditional image of Highgrove, which was reassuring. After all, this is how Highgrove should be. By the way, here's what I drank previously.