One thing is certain about Laphroaig single malt: no drinker is indifferent to it. Some love its unapologetically full-on peaty, medicinal charms, while others are bewildered by its appeal. Indeed, Laphroaig has been compared to Marmite for the extreme reactions it provokes. “Love it or hate it, but never ignore,” as the distillery Twitter feeds declares.
Over the past few years, whisky prices at auction have been rising at an unprecedented rate thanks to increasing demand for rare bottles of Scotch from connoisseurs, collectors and investors alike.
The Highland Distillery is demonstrating its commitment to this endangered animal by forging a global conservation partnership to help safeguard its future.
Bob Christine, manager of Dalwhinnie Distillery when this whisky was made, once told me he could tell whether his malt had been distilled in the winter or the summer months… Dalwhinnie is a viscous, slightly waxy, whisky - largely on account of having worm tubs (more about these later) – and its viscosity increases when the worms are cold.
This May plays host to two whisky festivals: Campbeltown Malts Festival and Fèis Ìle, for which the participating distilleries have released commemorative bottlings. Most are only available at the distillery on the day, however we've got our hands on a handful of them.
To get some immediate feedback on the newest whisky from Islay, Ardnahoe, we allowed random customers who walked into our Manchester store the chance to try an advanced sample. Store manager, Phil, captured their first impressions and we have condensed their reactions into a short video.
Scotland's small islands – from Arran, Jura and Mull in the West, to Orkney in the North – produce whiskies of various styles. Though, when referring to the Island region, this does exclude the 'whisky capital' Islay, which is a region of its own. Island whiskies differ to one another, as their qualities are born from the individuality of the island itself. They, like the beautiful countryside they spring from, will provide something to suit everyone's taste.