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…
Far from an expert, this was about my 15th bottle of Scotch (fourth brand and my first foray into Islay scotches). Honestly the first taste of it reminded me of the smell of diaper rash ointment. 2nd sip, closed bottle. I will try to get used to it but will probably give it away. It has a lot of flavor but so does 3 day old road kill. I've tasted liquid smoke straight from the bottle, this is not as good. With three other varieties to fall back on, I can't see forcing myself to like this one.
The smoke and peat is an acquired taste. But when you acquire it, boy is this good.
Great value for money fantastic classic islay whisky that you'll love or hate.
It is like drinkin' a smoky bonfire.
I can get this at Costco for under $30 US. While not my all time favorite it is absolutely for sure the best value available for a solid kick-you-in-the-face Islay. Keep up the good work!
