Laphroaig Brings Back Middle-Aged Scotch With New 16 Year Old

By Richard Thomas

Islay distillery Laphroaig abandoned it’s foothold in middle-aged single malts when it discontinued its classic 15 Year Old in 2009. This whisky held iconic status not just because of its long standing and popularity with enthusiasts, but also as a holder of a Royal Warrant (effectively making it an official whisky of the Windsors). Laphroaig brought the 15 Year Old back for its 200th anniversary in 2015 (disclosure: I bought a bottle), but that quickly joined the ranks pre-discontinuance bottles as a collectable item.

Now Laphroaig is returning to middle-aged Scotch, but not by reviving their 15 Year Old. Instead, they have taken things half a step forward with a 16 Year Old.

Bottled at 48% ABV, this whisky will be available in the US for $89.99 for a 750ml bottle. The 70cl version is already available in the UK, where it fetches £89.