Often on Scotch Whisky LegendsI will write about old, highly matured statement whiskies, like the Bowmore 1966 Samaroli or the Dalmore 50 years old. So it’s refreshing to see a whisky on the list that has a relatively low age statement and no vintage. This just goes to show that while there is a connection between age and quality of a whisky, there is no causal relationship.
Of the over 500 Laphroaig varieties that Serge Valentin from WhiskyFun has tasted, his current favorite is a 10-year-old Laphroaig that was bottled around 1978 for import to Italy by Bonfanti Milano.
Laphroaig in the 1970s
Laphroaig was ahead of its time in terms of its global marketing, thanks to Ian Hunter and Bessie WilliamsonHunter, who headed Laphroaig in the 1920s, was able to successfully market Laphroaig as a medicinal whisky during Prohibition in the USA. When Bessie Williamson took over the management of the distillery in 1954, Laphroaig already had a global presence.
This globalization was further enhanced when Seager Evans & Co. bought a ⅓ share of the distillery in 1962. By 1967, the company had taken over Laphroaig completely.
Then in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Laphroaig expanded, going from four stills to seven within five years. At this time, Laphroaig was synonymous with the medicinal, peat-smoked whisky produced on Islay.
Laphroaig 10 years old, 1970s Bonfanti Import
The Laphroaig 10 Year Old Bonfanti Import was bottled at 43% ABV sometime in the 1970s (Serge estimates 1978) for import to Italy. It is very likely that the 10-year-old was matured exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels, as Ian Hunter was the first to develop this maturation method after traveling to the USA in the 1920s.
These rare 10 year old Laphroaigs are considered to be some of the finest Laphroaig whiskies ever bottled. Serge seems to agree.
All in all, there’s not much to say about this 10-year-old. It’s a bit of an enigma. Even Bonfanti Milano, the Italian importer, is shrouded in mystery. If you type “Bonfanti Milano” into a search engine, the top results are an antiques shop and a handbag designer. Add “whisky” to the end of the search term and you’ll get a selection of Laphroaigs and Caol Ilas.
Whatever the case, we can assume that the whisky has been coloured and diluted to 43%. However, this low alcohol content does not detract from the beautiful, smoky flavour of the whisky.
Tasting notes by Serge Valentin on the 10 year old Laphroaig Bonfanti import from the 1970s
In December 2004, Serge Valentin had the opportunity to taste the Laphroaig 10 year old Bonfanti import from the 1970s.
The whisky was so good that he was speechless:
“This version was bottled shortly before the “unblended” versions (see entry from October 10).
“Nose: absolutely stunning, on all kinds of fresh and cooked fruits. It left me speechless…
“Mouth: fabulous attack of peat and spices, with tons of dried fruits and dried herbs. An incredible richness, brilliantly elegant.
The best Laphroaig I’ve ever tasted, punto basta. I know these notes were short, but I was amazed. 96 points.” – Serge Valentin, WhiskyFun.comDecember 2004
Auction prices
It’s almost impossible to say how many of these 10-year-old Laphroaig wines ended up on the Italian market, but according to my research, only 67 of them were offered at auctions in the UK and Europe, with the first surfacing in 2018.
The current auction record for this bottle is £4,400reached at Whisky Auctioneer in April 2023.
A brief history of the Laphroaig distillery
Laphroaig Distilleryone of the best known producers of single malt Scotch whisky, was founded in 1815 by brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston on the Scottish island of Islay. The distillery quickly gained a reputation for its distinctive peated whisky, which is characterized by its strong, smoky flavor profile.
The distillery remained in the Johnston family for over a century until 1954, when Ian Hunter, the last member of the Johnston family to run Laphroaig, died. Hunter left the running of the distillery to his secretary, Bessie Williamson, who became the first female distillery manager in Scotland. Under her leadership, Laphroaig flourished. The distillery was acquired by Seager Evans & Co. in 1967 and Williamson retired in 1972.
Throughout the 20th century, Laphroaig remained true to its traditional methods, such as floor malting and peat drying, which contribute to its distinctive character. Its unique flavour profile, often described as medicinal and maritime, has earned Laphroaig cult status around the world.
In 1994, Laphroaig received the honorary royal title from the then Prince Charles (now Charles III) and was able to further expand its customer base with the founding of Friends of Laphroaig.
Today, Laphroaig is part of Suntory Global Spirits. The distillery’s commitment to quality and authenticity has made it a respected name among whisky enthusiasts, and the Laphroaig 10-year-old has long been a popular product.
