Laphroaig, the iconic scotch whisky distillery, has announced the release of The Wall Rope Edition, a 39-year-old single malt and the second release in The Wall Collection.
Limited to just 200 hand-painted bottles, this rare whisky celebrates Laphroaig’s maritime heritage and the historic journey of sherry casks to Islay. It’s a tribute to the “puffer boats that once supplied the island with essential materials from coal to barley,” according to a brand press release.
Laphroaig’s Coastal Legacy
Aged for 39 years, this whisky embodies the enduring relationship between land and sea. It matured in Oloroso sherry seasoned European oak hogsheads and finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry seasoned European oak butts. This maturation process infuses the whisky with a unique blend of bold peat smoke, maritime salinity, and rich sherry sweetness.
The official tasting notes describe the whisky as rich tawny in color, with aromas of toffee, cranberry, dark red cherry, polished leather, sweet molasses, and mandarin orange. On the palate, it offers a gentle smokiness intertwined with treacle toffee, candied orange peel, and hazelnut, culminating in a long, smooth finish with smoked orange toffee, oak, and mixed spice.
Calum Fraser, Master Blender at Suntory Global Spirits, explains, “With The Wall Rope Edition, we set out to capture the rich influence of sherry casks on Laphroaig. We wanted to honor their journey – traveling by sea, weathering the elements, and finally reaching Islay. This whisky holds that story. After 39 years, it’s layered, bold, and unmistakably Laphroaig.”
A Collector’s Piece: Laphroaig The Wall Rope Edition
Each bottle of The Wall Rope Edition is a collector’s item, hand-painted and numbered by London-based illustrator and ceramicist Laura Carlin.
Her artwork draws inspiration from Islay’s rugged landscape and the tarred rope that once secured vital cargo for the island. Using the same paint that adorns Laphroaig’s iconic Warehouse No.1, Carlin captures the symbolic journey of Laphroaig’s sherry casks.
Daryl Haldane, Private Client Director, notes, “The Wall Collection is a rare chance to taste a defining moment in Laphroaig’s history. Created in the 1980s – a time of big changes for the distillery – The Rope Edition was shaped during major renovations that brought new life to our stillhouse.”
“Production slowed, but the spirit of Laphroaig held strong. What came from that time is a whisky full of depth, character, and resilience. It’s a true part of our heritage. And now, we look forward to sharing it with the friends who’ve stood by us through every chapter.”
Priced at £4,950 / $5,500 / €5,800 (France), €5,700 (Germany), the 39-Year-Old whisky is set to become a coveted piece for Laphroaig collectors. Friends of Laphroaig will have the first opportunity to purchase this special release via an exclusive sale on August 25th, followed by general availability from August 28th at the Laphroaig Visitor Centre and select specialist retailers.
This release follows the second edition in the Archive Collection and continues to honor Laphroaig’s history and the skilled pioneers behind its story.
Read the full article at Laphroaig Unveils ‘The Wall Rope Edition’: A Tribute to Islay’s Coastal Heritage
