Laphroaig 10 Year Old is an iconic Islay single malt whisky, renowned for its heavily peated profile. Expect intense smoke, medicinal iodine, and a hint of seaweed. This whisky captures the bold spirit of Islay and is one of Scotland's most characterful drams. Islay's world-famous Laphroaig distillery is known for its medicinal malts, and its signature 10-year-old is no exception thanks to its full maturation in bourbon barrels, which serves to highlight that individual distillery character. This beauty has won a slew of industry awards over the decades and we love it.
Non-chill filtered for maximum flavour. A must-have for peat lovers!"
Our tasting notes feature a contribution from the longest-serving distillery manager in the brand's history, the wonderful John Campbell, who worked at Laphroaig from 1994 until 2021.
This opens on big, smoky muscular peat notes. There are spices, and liquorice, as well as a big dose of salt. This whisky has become slightly sweeter in recent years, and it appears beautifully on the nose, amidst the classic iodine/sticking plasters and cool wood smoke we love.
Seaweed-led, with a hint of vanilla ice cream and more than a whiff of notes from the first aid box (TCP, plasters etc). The oak is big, and muscles its way into the fore as you hold this whisky over your tongue. An upsurge of spices develop – cardamom/black pepper/chilli.
Big and drying, as the savoury, tarry notes build up with an iodine complexity.
The only malt from Laphroaig’s range that John Campbell recommends with water; try it, it opens up the palate massively, providing a dazzling array of additional flavours…
Telephone poles and railroad ties. The wet ashes of last nights campfire with a lasting finish of embalming fluid. But I love it.
I find that the enjoyment I derive from a Scotch is inversely proportionate to my wife’s opinion of its aroma. She thinks the Laphroaig 10 smells like someone’s set fire to an old leather shoe by the seaside. Clearly, I think it’s fabulous. Good value too. Don’t buy the NAS Select - spend a few more pounds on this. It really does smell like a burning shoe
I sat in a bar in Inverness last year and ordered a Laphroaig 10. The nice Scottish lady said “are you sure you want it? This is the worst whiskey in the world, I wouldnt drink it.” I ordered it, drank the dram but in a busy bar, I didnt get the taste. I bought it back home and ultimately, during my first tasting, understood where the lady was coming from. The iodine is strong and the peat heavy but you can smell the sea, the Scottish weather...there is emotion in the smell! Then, big surprise, the taste: smooth, almost sweet, subtle. The contrast between smell and taste is incredible and overall Laphroaig embodies what a peated whiskey should be: smoke you actually enjoy. You need to get used to the iodine first, though...
Es mi primer whisky Islay, realmente diferente a todos los demás,pero muy agradable!!
The first time I tried Laphroaig (or any Islay) was as a sampler in a Vintages shop. I bought a bottle and took it home, but when I tasted a full dram I was so sure I had wasted my money. As I was a young student at the time (40 yrs ago) I couldn't afford to waste it, and was faced with finishing it, a glass every few days or so, before I could buy my next bottle of Speyside or Highland. The first glass or two were tough, but after a while I gained an appreciation for it. By the time I had finished the bottle, I knew I'd found my favourite, and now I only drink Islay malts. Have patience, and you'll be rewarded.
