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…
Better than Best ! MCL
I've said Lagavulin 16 is my favorite scotch thus far. So consider that a King's finest, but Laphroaig 10 is definitely a nobleman. It's doesn't quite measure up in terms of that intoxicatingly brilliant nasal umbrage that LGV16 delivers but it's there and it isn't humble. I think the reduction of the iodine/seaweed (similar things) aroma actually works well here because it lets you actually recognize the peppery pop that Laphroaig has. There is a bit of spicy lingering in the mouth, but it's not bad, and does not affect the throat.
My first purchase of a bottle of Scotch, Laphroaig 10 yr. The first whiff knocked me back, so smoky it was (an earlier post mentioned a "sharpie marker"--yes, very similar in smell at first). The first sip--slow heat moved through my chest and abdomen, one radiating inch at a time. (Who needs heat in the winter? Just sip this.) A bit overwhelmed by the smokiness, I added 3-4 drops of water (really, that little) into 1-2 ounces of Scotch. I'd read enough about opening up the esters and changing the chemistry so I was eager to taste the difference. Well, that little bit of water made all the difference. I love it. It's an easy, smooth sip, but very gratifying. A deep whiff makes you feel like you're standing in a peat bog. I gave the before/after water tastes to my wife, and she said it almost tasted like an entirely different brand. I'm a total novice, so everyone's comments about other flavors--vanilla, licorice, citrus--I'm not there yet. I'm just basking in the deep smoke and peat...and the warmth spreading through my body.
Going, going, gone....it's a "Home Run, baby!" This is my second foray into Islay's (eye-luhs) single salts. Bunnahabhain 12 yr S.M. was my first; Laphroaig 10 (pronounced La-froyg) being my second is definitely an outstanding Libation! I give it 5 out of 5 stars, and it's truly indescribably delicious, but I will do my best to convey my appreciation of the Scotch Whisky. Nose: Laphroaig smells medicinal at first blush, but blossoms into a bouquet of peat laced floral scents. Palate: Liquid Smoke (which is a substance used in cooking to induce a hickory-based smoke flavor); some notes of Sherry, flavorings of charred wood from a smoky campfire sites, and a heaping muscular helping of peat (pow and boom). At the end of the day it's Smoke and Peat baby! It's definitely not for the uninitiated, or the "haters" , closed minded, or those unwilling to broaden their horizon's of libation exploration. If that's you, just say no or stay home and drink milk....ha ha ha. Finish: A drink that's been barbequed on the grill, marinated in Liquid Smoke, and Smoked (on the grill) over smoldering wood chips saturated in Peat water. It's a "Forget Me Not" for sure friend. Enjoy! History about me: I'm a Novice, went to a Scotch tasting for the first time last summer (2015) in Wash. D.C.; the varieties offered were Aberlour, Oban, Balvenie and Yamazki 12 yr. Single Malt (SM). The pours were in plastic containers (cups)...the overhead ceiling fans were on blowing down onto the crowd and the drinks, which in my opinion oxidized the scotches just setting out at the different tasting stations...but hands down for me was the Yamazki 12 yr. S.M. My Recent M of M Purchases - Nikka W. from the Barrell (Japanese), Paul John W (Peated-Indian), Yamazaki Reserve (Japanese) and Nikka All Malt (Japanese). But since then, I've experienced Bunnahabhain 12 yr. S.M., Dalmore 12 yr. S.M., Laphroaig 10 yr. S.M., and Iwai (Japanese) all locally purchased from a place called "Kings Liquor Store" right here in Rosedale, Maryland, of the good ole' USA....all reasonably priced. If ever in the area, you've got to stop by there and check them out. I'm waiting to get my hands on some Ardbeg "Uigeadail" and some Lagavulin 16 yr. S.M. I may have to order that from MoM. Rating - Of the four scotches I rec'd from MoM, Nikka fr. the Barrell was number one for me. However, my number two, was Paul John (Select Cask). It's simply to die for (but don't do it, live on and enjoy the scotch). The "nose" by far for me as a Novice, stood alone. When you first whiff the aroma, your olfactory glands and brain reverberate saying "Whoah, what is that"...oak, chemical, what? The aroma captivates and assaults your nose like a Muhammed Ali right hook coming at you from out of nowhere, prompting you to say, "Where'd the hell did that come from". But I do agree with the Chaps at M of M (MoM)...the nose is very earthy, not sure about the salt though. As for the palate, MoM is "spot on" BBQ Smoke" all the way. Relative to the Finish, there is something about the flavor, quite can't put my finger on it, that lingers on your tongue long after you've finished the dram, shot, snifter or whatever your choice of drinking glass is. Just do me a favor, "no plastic cups" please. Use an acceptable drinking glass and always drink responsibly. Closing: After a few more trials of world famous scotches I'm going to have to stop referring to myself as a "Novice". Maybe I'll upgrade to "Journeyman". Bon appetite!
I am new to Scotch Whisky. I've had many bourbons and american whiskeys. My introduction to single malt scotch was Highland Park 12 which I found really underwhelming after all the rave reviews. I did like the finish which I came to find out was PEAT! So I decided to jump right into Islay from there and bought a bottle of Laphroaig 10. Wow!! The smokiness, the saltiness, and that sweetness are like nothing I've ever tasted in my life. A lot of people say not to try this if you're a beginner and we were a little intimidated and afraid we might be wasting $50 but man!! well worth it! It really does invoke the feelings of a campfire beside the ocean. It's warming, it's comforting, it's rich and delicious, the finish is long and lingering and makes you want to dive in for another sip. The medicinal smells and flavors are very pleasant as well. I know it sounds disgusting but it's oddly inviting. I like this over Ardbeg 10 as well as I feel Ardbeg lacks in the salt and sweet compared to Laphroaig. My overall scotch experience, in order is this: HP 12, Laphroaig 10, Glenfiddich 12, Caol Ila 12, Ardbeg 10. I know that's not a lot but Laphroaig REALLY stands out as the favorite.
