An amazing vintage Laphroaig from one of their golden eras, the late 1960s.

The Sestante import company was founded in the 1970s by Ernesto Mainardi, and he bottled his first single casks under the name in 1985. Alongside his contemporary, Silvano Samaroli, Mainardi pioneered giving his customers a choice of both standard 40-46% bottlings, and cask strength releases from the same casks. Along with his other brand, Silver Seal, Mainardi's bottlings are incredibly sought after.

Distilled in 1969 and bottled at 19 years old, these ship label bottlings of Laphroaig are a classic Sestante series. This is one of 5 releases, the first of which was produced in 1985. This, and its cask strength equivalent were the final additions, bottled in 1988.

We’ve already tried the 16 yo 1968 within that ‘sailing ship’ series. It was much to my liking, but maybe not totally great, because of some weaknesses (WF 87). Colour: deep gold. Nose: this one’s extremely sooty and earthy, farmy as well, without any tropical fruits. Which, I agree, is very un-1960s-Laphroaig. Hay, grass, a touch of manure, garden bonfire, some wet paint, wool, wet dogs (we’re sorry, dogs)… All that makes this baby a little narrow and very dry. I also find a little tallow, or marrow. Some ink too. Maybe a touch of chamomile tea? Mouth: same profile, with some astringency, teas, soot, ashes, coal, liquorice, earth, camphor. In truth, that earth and that camphor really save it. Grape pips oil. The body’s a little thin, which may increase the dryness. Finish: a bit short, cardboardy. Nice touches of grapefruit in the aftertaste, though. Comments: rather too fragile for me, but some parts were still beautiful. Old Laphroaig for scholars?

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