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 like to keep a collection of various whiskies and Laphroaig Quarter Cask has been a repeated tenant on my cabinet since it was released a few years ago. Before then, I always had a place for the Laph 10, but here in British Columbia the release of the QC took L10 of the shelves. Couldn't but it anywhere. The QC came in at about $30 more than the L10 (if memory serves), but it was so good that I didn't mind. Today I'm in my fav shop and see that the QC (at $80) is not available, but I can get the L10 for $100. So I went for it - for old time's sake. The 10 is not as friendly as the QC - which is thick, rich, and warm like a blessed -- well almost like a peaty Scottish bourbon with a summer sundown finish. It doesn't taste a bit like bourbon, but it has that finish that a good bourbon has (eg Knob Creek), the warm slow sundown in the belly. The 10 is mean, cruel, calling to mind a wild sea against rocky beaches - while we consider death. However as many here have suggested, a splish of water makes it more friendly and expressive. I do not regret this purchase of the 10 but I will continue to prefer the QC.
too sweet in fact, even with two drops of water
It's not for everyone, I didn't like it at all. Don't buy it only because it comes from nearby to other whiskies you like, has nothing to do with Caol Ila etc. I hated industrial smell and the fact it is died with caramel (what for?). Nevertheless, it didn't take long to find a fan of it and sell the bottle.
"No strong drinks, only weak men" exemplified.
Diff not sure, will try again.
