Nice review Mike and Cory. Actually 50% of the juice in this bottle is 34 years old, 30% is 35 years old, and 20% is 32 years old. It's one of my favorite Islay Whiskies released since near Y2K and later. Top 5 on most days. Maybe 2 or 3 of the OB Port Ellen 30+ year beat it (10th and 17th releases and on some days the 15th release). Maybe on some days the Lagavulin 24 Feis or 25 Anniversary can top it. Caol Ila 35 is not better than this one IMO. Ardbeg LOTI 25 is not better. The Ardbeg Provenance 1st release soundly beats it, but that’s one of the best OB Islay ever released in “modern times”. But Ardbeg Prov. is a crazy price and doesn't count for value comparison. Other than those above I own and have compared to it many times, the rest of the best Islay I have are only at their best on par with this bottle and don't beat it. A great whisky for a solid price. I give it a solid 93 points and maybe 94 at it best on a good day and 92 points on a bad day. Gets better with more air in the bottle. One can still find it here and there for as low as $1,100-1,200 usd and it's worth that price.
Mike, if you get the chance, and haven't already, the Port Ellen 37 yr 17th Release is a must-have/must-try Islay bottling IMO. Savory, vibrant, maritime hospital, maritime garden/forest, tropical citrus. I think it would be at the top of your favs based on what I gather from watching your reviews. Basically an annual Birthday 1oz pour for most of us at 100usd per pour cost by buying a bottle at a decent deal. Another of my favs is a blend. 1/3 Caol Ila 35 blended with 2/3 Lagavulin 16---but not just any Lagavulin 16. Gotta find a Lag 16 from 2000-2006 (special bottle code markings on pics at auction). The combo of these 2 are amazing. "Lagavulering down" the Caol Ila 35 fixes its biggest problem (the 58% abv alcohol burn roughness imbalance that isn't solved better by using actual water). And the Laga 16 from 2000-2006 has this great tropical citrus sweetness that adds variety to the Caol 35 sweetness. The Laga 16 2000-2006 also infuses some subtle nice old library/cigar/farm notes that expands the Caol 35. And the Caol 35 58% abv livens up the Laga 16 "thin-ness to a blend ratio of 48% abv. And the Laga 16 price for this bottle date range (150-220 usd at auction) reduces the overall cost, creating a great blended whisky for about 500usd. I haven't found a better mix blend for the price than this one. If Islay released this juice combo in a bottling today for $500, it would likely be considered the best for money from Islay. Worth playing with. Cheers.@@topshelfwhisky
@@jonadad now you're just getting dirty with some of these bottles! Mike didn't take me on that field trip but I've gotten to try this one too. It's exceptional. Now we need a lag 16 to blend with lol.
Oh my!!! Seriously when I cracked open a bottle of Laph PX cask, I swear one of my first notes I picked up immediately was baby vomit. I swear, people thought I was crazy, but there is a baby vomit note that I get in some laphs, but it's not off-putting if that makes sense.
"This is THE best Ard . . . Sorry!“ "I mean Laphroaig.“ Two guys cracking on about a brilliant 32 yo Laphroaig while reminiscing about baseball games of yesteryear - that’s what great whisky does to grown men. Well done, gents! Cheers.
Love this video so much guys!
Apologize to the whisky 😂. That is liquid gold scotch Mike. 👌
Such a bottle is a rare and delightful opportunity...
foodquig yes it was
oh nice one Mike. thanks for sharing.
I have to thank Dr Cory as it was his bottle.. and it was amazing.
Great seeing you guys sharing a bottle together and such a great bottle it is.
The Whisky Hunter probably would
Have never met without the Scotch Addict Facebook page... so, thank you!
@@topshelfwhisky Bringing Scotch Addicts together since 2014 :)
The bottle looks very classy with this pastel colour and fancy elegant label.
TEDDY KGB with a taste to match
Way to go guys! Thanks for sharing that experience.
Whiskey Straight Al it was my pleasure, believe me. 🥂
Wow Mike that's epic stuff! Cheers brother!
Richie Z it was an incredible, truly incredible whisky.
What more can I say but WoW⁉️⁉️⁉️
Chad Adams Best Laphroaig I’ve ever tasted.
Nice review Mike and Cory. Actually 50% of the juice in this bottle is 34 years old, 30% is 35 years old, and 20% is 32 years old. It's one of my favorite Islay Whiskies released since near Y2K and later. Top 5 on most days. Maybe 2 or 3 of the OB Port Ellen 30+ year beat it (10th and 17th releases and on some days the 15th release). Maybe on some days the Lagavulin 24 Feis or 25 Anniversary can top it. Caol Ila 35 is not better than this one IMO. Ardbeg LOTI 25 is not better. The Ardbeg Provenance 1st release soundly beats it, but that’s one of the best OB Islay ever released in “modern times”. But Ardbeg Prov. is a crazy price and doesn't count for value comparison. Other than those above I own and have compared to it many times, the rest of the best Islay I have are only at their best on par with this bottle and don't beat it. A great whisky for a solid price. I give it a solid 93 points and maybe 94 at it best on a good day and 92 points on a bad day. Gets better with more air in the bottle. One can still find it here and there for as low as $1,100-1,200 usd and it's worth that price.
Well, you have tried some epic Islay's. Sounds like you would be a good judge... can't disagree with your assessment or placement among its peers.
Mike, if you get the chance, and haven't already, the Port Ellen 37 yr 17th Release is a must-have/must-try Islay bottling IMO. Savory, vibrant, maritime hospital, maritime garden/forest, tropical citrus. I think it would be at the top of your favs based on what I gather from watching your reviews. Basically an annual Birthday 1oz pour for most of us at 100usd per pour cost by buying a bottle at a decent deal. Another of my favs is a blend. 1/3 Caol Ila 35 blended with 2/3 Lagavulin 16---but not just any Lagavulin 16. Gotta find a Lag 16 from 2000-2006 (special bottle code markings on pics at auction). The combo of these 2 are amazing. "Lagavulering down" the Caol Ila 35 fixes its biggest problem (the 58% abv alcohol burn roughness imbalance that isn't solved better by using actual water). And the Laga 16 from 2000-2006 has this great tropical citrus sweetness that adds variety to the Caol 35 sweetness. The Laga 16 2000-2006 also infuses some subtle nice old library/cigar/farm notes that expands the Caol 35. And the Caol 35 58% abv livens up the Laga 16 "thin-ness to a blend ratio of 48% abv. And the Laga 16 price for this bottle date range (150-220 usd at auction) reduces the overall cost, creating a great blended whisky for about 500usd. I haven't found a better mix blend for the price than this one. If Islay released this juice combo in a bottling today for $500, it would likely be considered the best for money from Islay. Worth playing with. Cheers.@@topshelfwhisky
@@jonadad now you're just getting dirty with some of these bottles! Mike didn't take me on that field trip but I've gotten to try this one too. It's exceptional. Now we need a lag 16 to blend with lol.
Epicccccccccccc bottle!Go vikes😉
Casey Goldberg bears got a win yesterday, probably last of the season.
Awesome review buddy. I am extremely jealous🙂.
The Malted Man Cave should be, it was the Best Laphroaig I’ve ever tried.
This or Highland Park 30?
HP30 (48.1) > Laphraoig 32 > HP30 (45.7)
Hope that helps 🤔
Nice vault and Ardbeg collection there! :)
James McGauran epic
Oh my!!! Seriously when I cracked open a bottle of Laph PX cask, I swear one of my first notes I picked up immediately was baby vomit. I swear, people thought I was crazy, but there is a baby vomit note that I get in some laphs, but it's not off-putting if that makes sense.
Ha, it does.
What a fantastic scotch, it looks like you fall in love with this and Ardbeg 23.
Would pick one of these or GlenDronach kingsman for 1200$?
This Laphroaig 32, no question
@@topshelfwhisky anytime you’re visiting San Francisco, let me know, I have a decent collection based on your reviews mostly, happy to share
"This is THE best Ard . . . Sorry!“ "I mean Laphroaig.“ Two guys cracking on about a brilliant 32 yo Laphroaig while reminiscing about baseball games of yesteryear - that’s what great whisky does to grown men. Well done, gents! Cheers.
Russell it was all of those Ardbeg twenty somethings calling to me. 😂😂😂 Cheers!
What a great review. Unfortunately a dram that most of your viewers will never experience. Even though this review makes all of us want to experience.
Cliff Norman it’s to rich for my blood too, everyone needs a friend like Cory.
oh nice. I think it is funny that birth year whiskies are irrelevant for anyone over 40.
Captain 3D Certainly expensive, I had a sample from Master of Malt of HighlandPark 40 on my 40th. Best I could do. 😔
@@topshelfwhisky Grain whisky next. Might be too late for me :-)