I prefer Islay myself, but I can appreciate this. The oldest I have is 40-year Laphroaig, and a cask-strength 29-year Bowmore, towering over the usual Lagavulin. Very smooth, the older stuff. Fortunately, bottles of Scotch last me forever so I've usually forgotten the price tag by the time the bottle is finished.
Lucky you.........
Have you opened the laphroaig 40yo? If so, what did you think of it? Reviews consistently put it just below the 30yo OB that came out about the same time, though i have not yet tried either.