For the Laphroaig Oak Select, the Islay distillery has taken whisky from a number of different types of cask, including oloroso sherry butts, white American oak, Pedro Ximenez seasoned hoggies, quarter casks, and first-fill bourbon casks. Quite a selection, wouldn't you say? A laid-back addition to the Laphroaig core range of single malts.
Classic, medicinal peat notes up front, supported by citrus-y, chocolate-y sweet notes and soft barley.
The peat is there, but it's taking it easy and letting the bright notes of lemon, green apples and mint stand out. Darker baking spice notes develop further on.
Medium length, peat remaining in sight until it's over.
It doesn't pack a huge punch of peat, which might be just the ticket for introducing someone to the wonders of Islay's smoky expressions.
It has a raft of different flavours attacking not only your taste buds but also your nasal receptors. I found that it came across as quite strong for a 40%, but very moorish and you can definitely taste the different casks. I have two bottles, the first of which has a different taste every time i open it (the second one is yet to be opened ;). Flavours i found are: Citrus = 4/10, smoke = 7/10, peat = 6/10, hops = 6/10, spice = 5/10 and sweetness 4/10 (sporadic) and usually to the end of the note. Complete different whisky if you add a splash of water. Overall give it a go, there is no such thing is a bad whisky!
This is not nice. It's very young and quite harsh. A bit like someone poured a dodgy sherry butt into a vat of young Laphroaig and tried to mix it together, with terrible results. £35 a bottle? No thanks Laphroaig. Please invest in the future of the 10 year old instead, at this price point.
A chilly evening in Hong Kong (yes, we get cold weather) found me sampling the Laphroaig Select. I was surprised by its quality: the peat was there, but not too harsh and the citrus came through. I'd certainly get another bottle.
I must say that I find this a very interesting dram. Having tried the 10yo Laphroaig and I find it too peaty. I find it overpowering. But this is a whole different story it has that peat smoke but not too much and it really does have other wonderful subtle flavours. For me one of the most delicate Islay malts I've tried.
For my nose and palate I find a wee drop of water helps bring it out.
