Darkness Laphroaig 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 50cl is a rare meeting of fire and sweetness, a whisky where Islay’s fierce coastal smoke is enveloped in the velvet richness of Pedro Ximénez sherry. Laphroaig’s signature peat character finds unexpected harmony in the dark fruit and molasses notes imparted by Darkness’s signature PX octave cask finish. Matured for nearly two decades, this is a whisky that commands reverence, bold, luxurious, and hauntingly complex.

Darkness Laphroaig 18 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish 50cl
Brand: Darkness | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 51.3% | Origin: Islay, Scotland | Vol: 50cl

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Peat smoke and sea salt entwined with dates, dark chocolate, and sweet sherry richness.
Palate: Deep and layered, smoky bacon, raisin, and treacle sweetness over waves of oak spice, espresso, and maritime brine.
Finish: Long, powerful, and lingering, peat and PX sweetness fade together into smoky, honeyed perfection.

Production Details:
This Laphroaig matured for 18 years in traditional oak casks before its final transformation in Pedro Ximénez sherry octave casks, a Darkness specialty that magnifies sweetness and texture. Bottled at 51.3% and non-chill filtered, it captures the raw power of Islay smoke refined by sherry-soaked opulence, a combination few whiskies achieve with such poise.

Perfect For:
Perfect for collectors, connoisseurs, and peat lovers who crave sophistication alongside power. Ideal for quiet evenings, luxurious pairings, or moments meant to be remembered.

Expert Notes:
Described by critics as “an Islay masterpiece draped in velvet,” this expression balances PX sweetness and maritime smoke with masterful precision, a rare feat in the world of cask finishing.

Customer Reviews:

“Incredible balance, smoky, sweet, and endlessly rich.”
“A dram that evolves with every sip, pure luxury.”
“PX and peat in harmony, unforgettable.”

Interesting Fact:
The Pedro Ximénez cask finish introduces natural sweetness from one of Spain’s richest dessert wines, enhancing the smoky character of Laphroaig with dark fruit and syrupy complexity. Combined with Darkness’s octave casks, it creates concentrated flavor like no other.

Serving Suggestions:
Best enjoyed neat to savor its full intensity, or with a drop of water to open its layers of fruit and smoke. Pairs beautifully with rich dark chocolate, smoked meats, or aged cheese.

Distillery Background:
Founded in 1815 on Islay’s rugged southern coast, Laphroaig is revered for its uncompromising peat smoke and medicinal maritime notes. Through Darkness’s PX finishing, that wild character is elevated into something transcendent, deep, sensual, and unforgettable.