SMWS 29.259 Laphroaig Whisky Sample 19 Year Old Bessie throttles a kipper (30ml, 50.2%)

SMWS 29.259 Laphroaig Whisky Sample 19 Year Old Bessie throttles a kipper (30ml, 50.2%)

This is one of those classic Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) bottlings that pairs a whimsical name with a genuinely formidable liquid. The title "Bessie throttles a kipper" is a colorful nod to both Bessie Williamson (the legendary former owner and manager of Laphroaig) and the intense, oily, smoked-fish character of the spirit.

This is a single-cask Laphroaig distilled in the late 1990s. It was matured for 19 years in a 2nd-fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel. The use of a second-fill cask is the "secret sauce" here; it ensures the wood doesn't dominate, allowing the classic medicinal and maritime Laphroaig character to deepen and evolve over nearly two decades.

Tasting Notes

Nose: An immediate blast of medicinal bandages, TCP, and iodine. Following closely is the "kipper"—a savory, oily scent of smoked mackerel and lemon juice. Beneath the salt is a surprising sweetness of creamy vanilla and lime zest.

Palate: The texture is heavy and oily. It tastes of salted liquorice, coal tar soap, and kippers grilled over a peat fire. As it develops, you get a beautiful contrast of sweet malt biscuits and ash.

Finish: Long, warming, and intensely drying. It leaves a lingering trail of medicinal smoke, sea salt, and a touch of charred oak.

Why this bottle is special

This is one of the best SMWS Laphroaig bottles from all reviewers.