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…
I might be biased because Laphroaig 10 was my first single malt, but I love it and every one of their expressions. I put the QA Cask (Travel Retail exclusive), the 10 Year Cask Strength (a monster), and the Triple Wood above the standard 10 year, but for the price, this is my go-to.
I GOT THIS IN A PACK AND HAD A HIP FLASKS IN NOW NOR ADVERSE TO UNUSUAL TASTE BUT THE MEDICINAL TASTE IN THIS REALLY KILLED IT FOR THE BOTTLE THAT CAME WITH IT HAD TWO NIPS IN BUT ONLY TOOK ONE AND BEST DESCRIBE AS DRINKING TCP THE TASTE WAS IN MY MOUTH FOR HOURS AND COULD NOT RID MYSELF OF IT
At risk of being lambasted by all those who thoroughly enjoy this from the other reviews, I personally couldn't get past the nose on this one. I don't mind smoke and saltiness, but this unfortunately lost all of its appeal when all I could smell was what I feel is best described as simply artificial liquid smoke. Obviously this is a unique malt with its overly abundance of peat smoke and salty qualities. So I assume those that love it, love it, while others may find it very difficult to see any appeal.
My first taste was a fantastic sensation the second best whisky I have ever tasted. Thank you very much.
If this was cheaper here in Ireland, I'd buy an unlimited supply of this :D
