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.
I'm really not sure what they've tried to do with this but it definitely hasn't worked. Not even in the same universe as Laphroaig 10 or the Quarter Cask. It doesn't have anywhere near the body of flavour or mouthfeel. I was massively disappointed. Avoid!!
Been a fan of the medicinal, peaty beauties that are the Quarter Cask and the Ten Year old for years so when I saw this one I leapt in without checking the reviews. Big Mistake. This one really needs to remove the tag line of 'the most richly flavoured of all Scottish Whiskies'. In my humble opinion this a poor offering. Lacking in peat it tastes young and unfulfilling on the palate. I can't believe I'm going to say this but its going to end up as a mixer with some Drambuie.
My first impression on opening this was that it didn't have quite the same aroma of peat and smoke that I'd expect from a Laphroaig. Honestly my inner drunkard was slightly disappointed and thinking "Hmm. Not sure about this one". Having actually sampled it, it's really very nice. It's definitely lighter, more mainstream Whisky than your standard Laphroaig so not for purists but potentially an excellent gateway drug for anyone who's been scared off by the more hardcore smoky, peaty, burnt out campfire, "love it or hate it" singles. Despite my initial reservations this is very drinkable and more-ish. Put it this way, this bottle is unlikely to outlive the Festive season and I'm pretty sure I'd buy another one.
Can there be anything better in life than to sit at ones fireside with my old dog Camilla a glass of Laphroaig in hand and talk to my plants. The nearest I will get to feeling like a King. Charles W.
I have enjoyed Laphroaig for eight years, 10 year old, Quarter cask, and Signatory Vintage. This SELECT is a mixture of various casks, and first thought is the distillery is making the most of a bunch of left over casks. Next, I would expect a 46% or 48% bottling for a special, and at 40% I was expecting a standard boring product. Well, I have been pleasantly surprised as this is my favourite blend of Laphroaig single malts. To avoid disappointment in the future, I have a case and am thinking of getting another!
