Islay Distillery Fills Portfolio Gap with Bourbon Cask Expression Laphroaig has brought back its 15-Year-Old Single Malt to the US market as a permanent addition to its core portfolio, completing a three-expression age-statement lineup alongside the 10-Year-Old and 18-Year-Old. The whisky is now available nationwide at a $89 suggested retail price, bottled at 46% ABV. Matured for 15 years in American oak bourbon casks, the expression maintains Laphroaig's signature peat-forward character while offering greater complexity. According to tasting notes, the nose opens with citrus and BBQ smoke; the palate delivers sea salt, smoke, black pepper, and warming spices (cinnamon, cloves, coriander); the finish brings juicy peach and grapefruit with lingering smoke.
Partnership Marks Dual Milestones Laphroaig partnered with Women Who Whiskey to mark the launch, aligning the whisky's return with the organization's 15th anniversary. Women Who Whiskey, founded in 2011, is a global club with nearly 20,000 members across two dozen chapters, created to challenge the male-dominated whiskey industry. Sarah Dowling, senior whisky blender for Scotch and Irish spirits at Suntory Global Spirits, said: "We're incredibly excited the time has come for the legendary Laphroaig 15-Year-Old to remerge as a permanent offering. On the nose, the whisky opens with vibrant citrus aromas, the palate brings a bold wave of sea salt and smoke and a fruity sweetness towards the finish. It's not a surprise that people fell in love with this expression and are excited to see its return. And as a proud woman who whiskies myself, I am so happy to welcome Women Who Whiskey members to share this special moment." Julia Ritz Toffoli, Women Who Whiskey founder and principal, added: "Fifteen years ago, Women Who Whiskey was born from the idea that enjoying whiskey is more fun when everyone has a seat at the table. It's incredibly special to celebrate our 15-year anniversary alongside the return of the Laphroaig 15-Year-Old, a whisky that represents the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation. For us, learning from the traditions that came before us while remaining curious enough to challenge them is at the heart of whiskey clubs like ours. We're thrilled to invite our members to step up, step out, and experience this next chapter together."
Member Tastings and Distribution Laphroaig and Women Who Whiskey will host a series of private tasting events for their respective members across US cities. Dowling led select tastings with Women Who Whiskey members as part of the launch effort. The Islay distillery, established in 1815 and owned by Suntory Global Spirits, remains the world's best-selling Islay single malt by volume and value. Recent awards include gold medals at the 2025 International Wine & Spirit Competition for both the 10-Year-Old and 18-Year-Old expressions.
Why It Matters
For bar operators and spirits retailers, the Laphroaig 15-Year-Old fills a clear gap in the distillery's core range at an accessible price point between the entry-level 10-Year-Old and premium 18-Year-Old. The Women Who Whiskey partnership signals the spirits industry's broader shift toward women-inclusive marketing and community engagement in a traditionally gatekept category—a trend likely to influence purchasing decisions among younger and female consumers.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
