Laphroaig 14-year-old

A very solid whisky with a lovely sherry flavor and aroma. Clearly an Islay malt, but the typical Laphroaig character (the smoky, phenolic element that makes Laphroaig so unique) isn't as pronounced in this bottling. As of May 2026, we will be at approximately 88 P median, which is exactly how I would see it. PS: The advertising with Willem Dafoe is simply superb; that alone justifies liking this bottling!

Nothing wrong but nothing special.

Quite powerful and peaty

Small Laphroaig lineup including the new 15-year-old (WB298482), an older bottling of the 18-year-old (WB42886), the Willem Dafoe bottling (WB298483) and the Cairdeas release from 2019 (WB131564).

Somewhat disappointing considering the price. And there are many sherry-matured Laphroaigs in this age range (unmaturities) that are significantly cheaper and tastier. I like Willem Dafoe a lot, but this Laphroaig doesn't really suit him. Anyone looking for a great actor's whisky should try the Harrison Ford Glenmorangie.

Some alcoholic notes, a hint of candied fruit, iodine, tobacco, sweetness, and a touch of straw; the flavor profile feels somewhat understated.

It seems we'll have to get used to the fact that Laphroaig has become tamer. Like the other recent new Laphroaig bottlings, this 14-year-old also lacks several characteristics that have been familiar to Laphroaig over the past decades. The distinctly phenolic peat smoke, the unventilated hospital corridor, the used gauze bandage, the dried seaweed, the freshly paved road: all of that now seems to belong – more or less – to the past. Apart from that, the Willem is really quite tasty, only the price doesn't quite match the whisky.

Willem Dafoe Laphroaig What an intriguing Laphroaig. The first thing that catches the eye is the light brown/bronze colour, while the whisky itself leaves thick waves and heavy tears clinging to the glass. Visually, this already suggests a whisky with plenty of texture and concentration. But the real surprise comes on the nose: this doesn't immediately smell like a typical Laphroaig. The classic medicinal and heavily peated character is much more restrained, making room for a fascinating combination of floral notes, tropical fruit and dark berries. At 53.7% ABV, this is a powerful whisky, but surprisingly approachable once it hits the palate. A fascinating Laphroaig that doesn't immediately reveal its identity. The nose is surprisingly floral and fruity, with mint, orange and berries taking centre stage, while the palate gradually introduces leather, tobacco and peat. And then the finish arrives and reminds you exactly what you're drinking. Pepper, cinnamon, peat, campfire smoke and scorched heather explode onto the palate. For me, the contrast is what makes this dram so interesting: an unexpectedly elegant and fruity nose followed by a seriously powerful, smoky and spicy finish. A Laphroaig with plenty of character — and definitely one that deserves some time in the glass. ????????

On the nose, menthol tobacco with cinnamon, later incense-like. The alcohol is perfectly integrated. Then smoked ham and paprika potato chips. The flavor is reminiscent of salted potato chips, somewhat milky, and atypical for Laphroaig. It has a kind of brandy kick, yet at the same time soft and mild, with smoke and wood spice blending almost perfectly in the end... I like it.

So glad I had the chance to try it blind with no clue beforehand. Very (sherry) laphroaig-y upfront, band aids, iodine, but also dried fruits. Reminds me of a distinguished version of the last dark batches of Triple Wood a bit. Strength is perfect, balance very good. This is how those Cairdeas bottlings should ideally always be... :-) Really pleasant, good vatting.

Drinking Date: 25/5/2026 Location : Laphroaig Distillery

richer and denser than 2026 French oak Cairdeas, quite sherry n a little oak at the end Pleasantly yummy lingering peat and iodine

Nose initially had lots of classic Laphroaig notes of peat, iodine, and sea salt.  Second nosing brought lots of dark summer fruits of blackberries and blueberries, vanilla and honey sweeteners.  Nice, rich deep bronze color. On the palate, it’s custard, fruity, with some dry oak and salinity.  Touch of bitterness on the finish.  Very unique from Laphroaig core range.

What the marketing department would have to say about this: This special 14-year-old Laphroaig whisky was created in collaboration with actor Willem Dafoe and finished in Oloroso sherry casks. Instead of classic tasting notes, however, a different approach takes center stage: "No Notes." In film, this refers to a performance so compelling that it needs no guidance. Willem Dafoe and Senior Whisky Maker Sarah Dowling followed precisely this principle when selecting this whisky – not according to guidelines, but purely by instinct. The result is a powerful, complex Islay single malt with the typical smoky Laphroaig character, complemented by the depth and spice of sherry cask maturation. Multi-layered, intense, and deliberately open to individual interpretation. Ideal for lovers of smoky Islay whiskies who appreciate character and depth – and for anyone who wants to discover an exceptional dram beyond conventional descriptions.

A 14-year-old Laphi and 93-point ratings in the base? That makes me curious, and at the end of the exercise I have to ask myself if I had the same distillate in my glass.

Decent modern Laph, peat, seaweed, palate is not balanced, for such a high abv, body is watery but on the other hand it's oily with some bbq notes.

The price-quality ratio is not OK. Nice to taste, but ultimately a shame that I bought a bottle.

A firm, smoky, and oily texture. You taste roasted nuts, cocoa, peat, and the sweetness of the sherry. A long, warm finish in which the smoke slowly transitions into dark chocolate and subtle spices.

For €150++ he wouldn't deliver enough as a large bottle. The sample was nice, but I actually find the Laphroaig 10yo Sherry Oak a bit tastier in comparison, because it has more Laphi DNA than Mr. Dafoe.

It has an oily viscosity and a highly intense bouquet. I detect aromas of intense, maritime peat smoke, vanilla, crème brûlée, leather, smoked bacon, dried fruit, nuts, refreshing mint, and orange. Not particularly complex. A good balance between sweetness and dryness in terms of flavor. The alcohol is well integrated, and it has a heavy body.

Nose: Soil, earth, peat, apple flesh, malt, toffee, rubber, cinnamon, hay Taste: Honey, sweetness of fruits, peat / Velvety Finish: Smoke, nuts, malt, mint

Scent: bacon-like sweet undertone, great balance, vanilla, alcohol perfectly integrated, maritime, leather, nutty Taste: soft base note, not overly complex, bitter orange, pleasant coastal smoke, again a sweet base note, medium finish, lovely sweet wood spice Color: Saffron-colored, medium waterline, clear Conclusion: A beautiful Laphroaig, but overpriced...

strong, fruity, little smoke for a Laphi Well-integrated alcohol - the 53.7 are hidden in the nose. not entirely unlike the 10-year-old Sherry Oak... When you inhale more deeply, the ABV (abnormal blood flow) and the typical Laphi smoke become apparent.... The alcohol is fully noticeable in the first sip. Ash, wood smoke, lots of oak, herbal Spicy, like virtually all cask-strength Laphroaigs. Does it offer any real added value compared to the 10-year-old Sherry Oak? Unfortunately, I don't have a sample on hand and I'm not familiar with the more recent bottlings in the cardboard box. A comparison would be incredibly interesting. Adding a little water improves the whole thing. The alcohol recedes into the background. The spiciness is somewhat reduced, which I actually find to be a positive. Today I prefer it with water. With water, I'm probably closer to the 10-year-old Sherry Oak... I'm going in circles... I need a sample of the 10-year-old for my remaining sample of the 14-year-old... Buyable for €50... I don't care about the marketing...

This limited-edition wine, a crossover between Willem Dafoe and Laphroaig, reportedly uses oak barrels personally selected by the actor himself, and is not a typical heavily peated wine. The sherry ripening provides ample dried fruit sweetness, softening the originally sharp medicinal peat of Laphroaig. The only drawback is a slightly short finish; while the initial burst of energy is sufficient, the persistence is somewhat lacking.

A successful bottling

Laphroaig is quite pleasant and warm to the taste! In its finest, most vibrant, and powerful flavor-aromatic form! The creators may have removed the "The Most Flavored Scotch Whisky" label from the labels, but we know who's boss! There wasn't enough roundness and full maturity to reach catharsis, and the salt in the taste had disappeared somewhere.*( 22.5 22.5 21 21

Laphroaig Distillery, Isle of Islay 2026/05/26

The wine is decent, but the price-performance ratio is a bit low. I didn't feel it was significantly better than the NAS, even though it costs 2-3 times more.

A pleasant and rather tame Laphroaig: campfire, maritime notes, a touch of iodine and medicinal hints, BBQ sauce, nutty. It's good (and easy to drink), but not much more than that. Personally, I prefer a bit more character and complexity. If you're looking for a more relaxed Islay, this is a good choice. 88/100 or 6/10

By no means a bad whisky; anyone who likes Laphroaig Sherry Oak or PX Cask will also like this whisky. Considering that for that price you can get two liter bottles of PX cask or almost three bottles of Sherry Oak, the price-performance ratio isn't right; you're simply paying for the Willem name on it. I'm glad I bought one bottle, but I won't buy a second one because of the price-performance ratio.

I really enjoy this edition of Laphroaig. It has everything I love. From campfire and peat, to sweetness and fruitiness, finishing with a delicate spiciness, tinged with notes of the pharmacy.

Very atypical and charged, not my cup of tea.

A Laphroaig, but a little different and exceptionally drinkable. It certainly won't appeal to die-hard Laphroaig aficionados, but I like it immensely. The nutty spice, the well-balanced sherry, and yet the typical Laphroaig notes. A fantastic balance!

The aroma is sherry-like, dense, and sweet: dried fruit, candy, wet prunes, smoked pear, and smoke. It develops more softly: jam, leather, biscuits, berries, varnish, toffee, light minerality, wood, earthy notes, and a nautical theme. The taste is sherry-like, rough, sharp: the sea (salt, iodine, stones), a clear sherry note, smoke, leather, wood, bark, smoked meats. The aftertaste is dry and smooth. Score: 85 (n22t21f21b21).

Really liking this, very mild on the usual Laphroaig-peat and heavy on the Sherry. Almost reminds me of a Glenfarclas from Islay.

A pronounced character on the nose, which glides into the already seen on the palate, while remaining within the realm of an intriguing and layered dram. If the contemporary ten-year-old is the starting point, this has the merit of enriching it and making it more interesting, less blatant in its flattery without completely abandoning it.

Drinkable, but relatively generic and poor value for money in my opinion.

Nose: tarry rope and peat fire Palate: Toffee apples and ash Finish: salted smoke and jam Comment: very nice Laphroaig