4.8/5 with 11,500+ reviews
Laphroaig’s limited-edition Strong Characters series pays tribute to the men and women who shaped the distillery’s history, with Chapter 2 celebrating Dugald Johnston, son of co-founder (and hero of Chapter 1) Donald Johnston.
Dugald was just 11 when he inherited the distillery following his father’s tragic death in 1847. He went on to formally take the reins in 1857, at the marginally less tender age of 21, following a period of stewardship – and mentorship – by Lagavulin’s Walter Graham.
Patiently, steadfastly, Dugald steered Laphroaig through the next two decades, a difficult but transformative time for the distillery and for Islay itself, and by 1871 he had reputedly more than doubled its output while preserving its very particular character.
Strong Characters: Chapter 2 reveals a gentler, more nuanced side of Laphroaig, its 35 years in American oak mellowing their bold peat smoke into softly creamy complexity without entirely forsaking its potency: a fitting tribute to the patient and considered man it honours. Only 5500 bottles have been released, presented at 43.8% abv with Dugald's story beautifully illustrated by award-winning British artist Bill Bragg.
Sweet notes of fresh-baked pastry, apples and cherries on the nose, with a pleasing smokiness to the fore on the creamy palate. There are hints of raisin and oak spice before lingering aniseed and a gentle peppery tingle fade into earthy smoke on the finish.
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