First released for the Travel Retail market, Laphroaig Four Oak features a marriage of whisky matured in a quartet of casks, namely ex-bourbon barrels, quarter casks, virgin American oak barrels and European oak hogsheads. Somewhat following on the theme from their popular Triple Wood expression...
Roasted coffee beans, almond pastries, sawdust and medicinal peat.
An intense waft of smoke as it opens, with earthy vanilla pod and subtle cookie dough following it up.
Drying, quite spicy and long.
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I'm an aficionado by no means but definitely have come to love Islay whiskies in general. I think the tasting note from Masters of Malt is accurate, and this drink makes for a perfectly good and rich taste experience. Certainly both spicy and peaty enough, although I'm not speaking from a lot of experience with other Laphroaig malts! A drop of water does it no harm in my opinion.
Possibly confusing to some people’s palates with all this wood in the mix, but I found the flavors interesting and enjoyable. Toffee sweetness on the nose, along with rusty nail and young leather. Palate is husky (as in grain husks), with vanilla notes and the typical medicinal Laphroaig flavors. Long, spicy (but smooth) finish, with lingering smoke.
To my palate this is an excellent single malt. I could smell the smoke of an Islay malt though I am not an aficionado. I missed the 'roasted coffee' part of it, though. And yes - no water.
Disappointing. I rarely drink Islay, and even Laphroaig 10y beats this one. Surely for the lower price range i'd prefer Aberlour 12y any given moment.
Taste like they've picked up all the worst barrels they've got from different kinds, blended them up and thought watering it down will make it drinkable. Nose: Weak, light peat, almost no iodine, faint vanilla aroma and some malty notes from a cheap blend (did they use grin whiskies here?) Mouth: No consistency, watery, peat is a bit stronger. It's getting sweeter, woody and a bit of red fruits. Caramel and drying at the end. Still have the feeling its 30% ABV. Finish: Short, light brine, a bit citrusy and light peat. As bad and uninteresting as the Laphoaig Select. Why?
