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…
At first, this Laphroaig is the hooligan amongst the Scotch. A complete nutjob, screaming in your mouth and splashing weird tastes like first aids kits and seaweed all over your tastebuds. But then you realize this dram is just a big, friendly bloke who wants to have a good time. The big salty and smoky flavours remind of a cosy pub, cloaked in a thick wall of sigarette smoke. This surely is a masterpiece, simply because it's so confusing and so unedged. A vicious drink for vicious people. (RB)
I'll always keep a bottle of Laphroaig 10yr in the den. It's certainly not as smooth on the finish as other Islays of the same age, but what it lacks in finish it more than makes up for in classic peaty goodness. A fine example of Islay Whiskys, this dram comes on strong with sweet oak and peat smoke, quickly dries out and leaves you wanting more. As an aside, I have yet to encounter a more drool-enticing bouquet in all my years as an Islay man. Simply phenomenal on the nose. Brings me back to slow fires on cold winter days... I would still recommend a smoother finishing dram for those looking to introduce friends to the world of Islay singles, maybe something like the Caol Ila Moch - something that comes full circle to finish.
This is the first whisky I have not liked. I can't believe anyone can like this drink. When my wife asked what it tasted like the first thought that came to mind was disinfectant.
Opens with iodine on the nose. Very much oaky on the palate, at first it has a nice sweetness to it. The finish is a dry, very smokey peat finish. Something about this leaves you wanting more. Definately my favourite peated scotch thus far.
Good whiskey for all ladies with character.
