Laphroaig 30 V Laphroaig 40

[bjm]

Seeing that the L30 is available in the U.S for 150GBP and less approx and the L40/1960 seems to be going in the 1000GBP range. This price difference seems to be extreme.

I know the L40/1960 was limited to 3300 bottles approx but what do you guys think of the big difference in price..Justified?

Thanks

[Deactivated Member]

You need to be quite clear - the 1960 and the 40yo are different bottlings. The 1960 sold at between £350 and £400 when it was released.

[Deactivated Member]

I don't know what the 30yo retailed for in the UK at the time - but a couple of years later it was on at £225.

Now you can debate long and hard about whether high prices are justified for top end whiskies. On the one had, if you have bottomless pockets, then any price is immaterial - you just buy what you want and drink it when you want. On the other end of the scale, some people may think that no whisky could ever justify a price tag over [insert price].

Comparing with other distillers - such as Ardbeg, Glenfiddich and Glenfarclas the Laphroaig prices were very reasonable. There is often a huge leap between the 30 and 40 in an OB range and for a 40 to be less than twice the price of a 40 looks like pricing in favour of the consumer. But then again, the Laphroaig 1960 was released before some of the other distillers started releasing the £2000 40yos.

I've never tried the 1960 or the 40yo. I have tried the 30yo and it was very good indeed - but I would find it hard to open a bottle I had paid over £200 for. £150 a bottle and I might, on a really good day, be able to persuade myself.

[OKDiver1]

A Laphroaig 40 sold for US$1,875 on eBay yesterday.

[bjm]

Yes, I was watching. I was surpsied it went that high. Makes the L30 at $240 look very cheap.


[quote="OKDiver1"]A Laphroaig 40 sold for US$1,875 on eBay yesterday.[/quote]

[anjana101]

I wanted the bottle that went on ebay last night. I stopped my bid at $1850. I guess somebody wanted it more than me.

[bjm]

I was bidding also up to $1150 then dropped out. People are so stupid with ebay, they run up the price well in advance of the auction ending and force the bar higher for everyone...this was a no reserve auction and if bidders would have relaxed it could of being had for alot lower. Dumb.

Final price was no bargain, thats basically retail and I know 2/3 places that sell this for around the same price.


[quote="anjana101"]I wanted the bottle that went on ebay last night. I stopped my bid at $1850. I guess somebody wanted it more than me. [/quote]

[Deactivated Member]

I was bidding also up to $1150 then dropped out. People are so stupid with ebay, they run up the price well in advance of the auction ending and force the bar higher for everyone...this was a no reserve auction and if bidders would have relaxed it could of being had for alot lower. Dumb.

Er... Isn't the point of an auction to get the highest price (or second highest price + one increment) that people are prepared to pay. I do understand about how sniping works and how the outcome is usually to result in a sale at less than people might have been prepared to pay, but it is of dubious ethics and to call people dumb for playing in the spirit of the game seems a bit rich.

What is it about ebay that causes people to lose every last shred of decency?

[Ganga]

Has anyone here actually tried the Laphroaig 40?

[AVB]

I have had some of the Laphroaig 40 courtesy of someone with much deeper pockets than I. Having had 4 of the 30 yo myself I would prefer the 30 based strictly on my tasting profile but if I had the money I'd get a 40 just to have one.

[firefly]

My father inherited 2 30's and a 40 from my late uncle who used to work for Allied Domecq. Says the 40 wont be opened until I get married and since I dont plan on getting married.... could be awhile before I can give notes on it.

[Aidan]

Firefly - I think you should get married. It would be worth it for the Laphroaig. You can always get a divorce.

[LagaDrinker]

There is often a huge leap between the 30 and 40 in an OB range.

Very true, HP 30 YO is around £180 while the 40 is £899

[corbuso]

The Laphroaig 40 YO and the Laphroaig 17 YO single cask bottled for the Feis Ile 2003(?) were amongst the finest Laphroaig that I have ever tasted. The Laphroaig 30 and 40 YO are quite different, with the sherry most present in the 30 YO. On the other hand, the 40 YO was more complex, without being tannic. Personally, I prefered the 40 to the 30 YO Laphroaig.

About the price difference? This is again very subjective. For the price of 1 x 40 YO, you can buy 3-4 30 YO. Personally, I would almost prefer to buy a few bottles of the old 15 YO with the red letters
Up to you

Corbuso
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