Laphroaig 33 Year Old Strong Characters

Laphroaig's digs into its past for a new prestige range with Volume 1: Donald Johnston.

A bold whisky made by bold people

Laphroaig has always been an uncompromising whisky. Its Islay home is a big reason why. Still, it’s the people who make the whisky. Those who understand and harness its island home's rugged, untamed nature. The distillery embodies the spirit of those who dare to be different, creating a whisky as distinctive as the people behind it. They deserve the credit for the signature peaty character that continues to define the distillery.

Tale of Strong Characters is that tribute. A series of old and rare single malt Scotch whiskies which honours those who have shaped Laphroaig into what it is today.

Volume 1 tells the story of Donald Johnston, the older of two brothers who founded the Laphroaig distillery in 1815.

Strong Characters

Strong Characters, brought to life

Each bold venture and story is realised through illustrations by award-winning British artist Bill Bragg.

Laphroaig 33 Year Old Strong Characters

The old Islay whisky was aged for 33 years in a combination of American oak barrels and European oak sherry hogsheads, giving it a distinctive smoky character and robust flavour profile. It was bottled at 43.8% ABV.

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Tasting notes

Nose

Notes of crème brûlée, stewed rhubarb and apple with custard. Creamy soft fudge is followed by heather honey, freshly baked sourdough bread and a briny sea spray.

Palate

The gentle sherry influence has added notes of fruit cake and subtle spice.

Finish

The peat element reveals savoury aromas of smoked ham, cured mackerel, and a herbal, almost grassy smoke. A splash of water brings forth more prominent notes of peat smoke.