Islay distillery Laphroaig has launched the first whisky in its new Strong Characters series. The series of limited-edition single malt whiskies is dedicated to the individuals behind Laphroaig’s history.
The first release is dedicated to distillery co-founder Donald Johnston, who set up the distillery with his brother, Alexander, in 1815. He features on the whisky’s packaging in an illustration by artist Bill Bragg, who will illustrate each edition in the series.
The whisky select for the release has matured for 33 years in American oak casks and European oak ex-sherry hogsheads. Laphroaig says the bottling has notes of fudge, heather honey, sourdough bread, sea spray, and peat smoke, with sherry-cask influence giving fruit cake and spice.
Teddy Joseph, global brand ambassador at Laphroaig, said: “There’s a growing desire amongst whisky drinkers for not only the flavours behind a distillery, but also the story. Laphroaig has such a rich and compelling history, and the new Strong Characters series offers whisky drinkers the chance to delve deeper and discover the pioneers and stories that have made the brand what it is today. We were also lucky enough to work with Bill Bragg and his atmospheric imagery captures the history and spirit of life on this uncompromising isle.”
Bragg added: “All my projects start in black and white. I think it was a really good pairing with this project, as people often describe Laphroaig as a combination of unapologetic peatiness, in an elegant whisky. It’s the rough and smooth, and I wanted to retain a little of that in the drawings themselves. Boldness meets elegance, and that matches with the character of the whisky perfectly. Donald’s story is unique. I sketched a lot of him as this falling figure, as it’s such a dramatic and shocking end to his story; essentially giving his life to his craft.”
Donald Johnston bought his brother out of the Laphroaig business in 1836, but died in 1847 after falling into a vat. The new Laphroaig release will include an accompanying booklet, also illustrated by Bragg, to capture the Johnstons’ story.
Earlier this year Laphroaig released Elements 2.0, the second version of its Elements series which explores the different aspects of the distillery’s whisky. Elements 2.0 showcases the effect of fermentation on whisky, while the previous 1.0 release emphasised the importance of the liquid’s raw materials.
Laphroaig Strong Characters (43.8% ABV, RRP £960) will be available to purchase exclusively at The Whisky Shop from 6 October and selected retailers from 8 October.
