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…
You either love it, or you hate it. In my case, I LOVE Laphroaig. It's my go-to. I remember the first time I had it well - it was a cold autumn night on Baker Street, and I was wanting the warmth of a nice quiet pub. Decided to take a walk down a side street, and found a little place called The Barley Mow. Stepped in, got settled, and ordered a small one of this. I admit it, it was overwhelming. But it warms you up like you wouldn't believe. Hard to believe that this was my first foray into single malts! Was so impressed I went to a nearby grocery store and bought a bottle to share with my flatmates. The jury was out in that regard, but hey, more great whisky for me. I love the heaviness of this whisky, and I love the smoke - the smoke sticks with you for what seems like an age. Perfect for wintry nights, stormy days, or intense introspection.
I like the smokey islay aspect but i'm not too fond of the medicinal kinda flavor. Even on the nose, it makes me feel like i'm standing inside a pharmacy. Not bad, wouldn't buy again because of that medicinal taste and smell. Port askaig > laphroaig...
It's an acquired taste and after getting acquainted with the taste one will find it hard to leave it
Presentation: Laphroaig has an understated elegance to their packaging and labelling and the flagship 10 Year Old bottling is no exception. Black text and iconography on a plain white background with green edging and the trademark Laphroaig green glass bottle. Classy. Appearance: Bright golden colour, with consistency maintained through the addition of E150 caramel colouring and chill filtration; a common practice with larger distillery’s flagship bottlings. Aroma: Smoke and something akin to a medicine cabinet. The addition of a little water cuts through the smoke and brings out faint fruit; I am reminded of sniffing a rockmelon (cantaloupe) in the supermarket to see if it's ripe, but I have no idea how a ripe rockmelon should smell compared to an unripe one. Flavour: Smoky bitterness. A combination of flavours that are hard to differentiate but go together very well. Water brings out sweet vanilla and some oak spiciness. Finish: Long and dry but not as I remember it. My mouth does not fill with swirling smoke, but rather the smoke lingers on the tongue and builds slightly with a gentle warming at the back of the throat. Would I buy it again? I would and I have. You cannot go wrong with Laphroiag 10 Year Old and I often recommend it for the more adventurous of the whisky curious. Peat smoke is the star of this whisky and it is unashamedly up front and quite literally in your face. -WhiskyDad
Fantastic blend of smoke, iodine and slightly sweet notes. The flavors blend together so well, I can honestly say I never get tired of the taste. You have to work your way up to this one to fully enjoy it's potential. Wow
