Suntory Extends Laphroaig At The High End
Suntory Global Spirits has added a new permanent expression to the Laphroaig portfolio, bringing the Islay malt’s 15-year-old whisky to the U.S. for the first time in 10 years. The returning whisky ($89 a bottle) joins Laphroaig’s 10- and 18-year-old whiskies in the brand’s core portfolio. It’s bottled at 46% abv and matures for all 15 years in ex-Bourbon casks. Laphroaig ranked seventh last year among all single malt Scotch whiskies in the U.S. at 48,000 cases.
“It’s a highly anticipated return that gives longtime fans something special while continuing to build excitement for the Laphroaig brand,” said Steve Belfiglio, U.S. senior brand director—Prestige, at Suntory Global Spirits. “We recently partnered with Women Who Whiskey (a global whiskey club with 20,000 members) to celebrate their 15th anniversary with special Laphroaig 15-Year-Old events across the country, which has introduced the brand to a new audience and welcomed many new Friends of Laphroaig.”
The release comes amid a period of investment in Laphroaig from Suntory, following the successful launch of the limited edition Laphroaig Willem by Willem, a specialty offering created with actor Willem Dafoe and part of the brand and actor’s wider promotional partnership.
“The response to the partnership has been extraordinary. From the outset, it was clear Willem Dafoe was a natural fit for Laphroaig, with his distinctive, intriguing personality that complements the bold and unforgettable character of the whisky,” said Belfiglio. “The response was incredibly strong, and we’re happy—or perhaps a little sad—to say that the limited-edition whisky is now sold out in the U.S.”
Laphroaig has seen critical success with its limited releases in recent years with Laphroaig Elements 2.0 taking home Whisky of the Year from Whisky Advocate in 2024. Since then, the brand has released Càirdeas Lore Cask Strength and Elements 3.0, with the former receiving 94 points from Whisky Advocate’s tasting panel.
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