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.
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Absolutely marvelous drop of Laphroaig distillery. The classic peat nose is there immediately but a lot of different flavors and aroma. Citracal, maybe peaches and cherry all wrapped up in vanilla. Palate is sweet with domination of lemon and pancake, maybe cereal in smoke. Finish is lovely lemon peel again and long lasting smoke. I love this little beauty, MUST for all Laphroaig fans. :-))
realy like it, a bit diffrent to the 10 year I use to drink.
Picked a bottle of this up for a bargain £25 in my local supermarket. I've read the bad reviews which seem to amount to the fact that it isn't just the same old Laphroaig as always. Its definitely something different with the peaty backbone of a classic Laphroaig, the nose still has that pungent smokiness, i don't get sweetness as such, perhaps a bittersweetness. Its the palate where Select really differentiates itself, its much lighter and not overpowered by the heavy pettiness of a 10, a bit thinner but no less invigorating. Im pleased that its naturally coloured although a cask strength would have been even more welcome. I loved this and thought it was a bargain and something very different but with an unmistakable Laphroaig peatiness at its core. Wonderful
I laughed out loud when i read "it certainly isn't a true Laphroaig" some people, eh?. I picked up a bottle of this with trepidation but I've really enjoyed some progressive drams that the old fuddy duddies seriously disliked, so i wasn't too worried. Some people hate change and it appears that to some people every Laphroaig has to be as gloomier and more peatily oppressive than the one before. I admire the bravery with this, la frog is such an established experience and maybe a little bit too serious for some. On opening the nose is very familiar peaty smokiness but maybe a little softer, the palate is more spirity smokey and clean and quite light, a real departure from a 10. It is reminiscent of some of the marvellous young bottlings i tried during Feis Isle and for some reason reminds me of the fantastic Kilchoman Machir Bay bottlings. more peaty but no less interesting. I really enjoyed this alongside a wonderful 21 year old Glendronach and it held its own in my household. Seems to be quite cheap in the stores as well so i may stock up on some. One mans trash is another mans treasure.
Most Laphroaigs that I have had like the 10, QC and 18 all have an amazing peaty, iodine-y hospital like flavor. That is the beauty of laphroaig that makes me keep coming back for more. Certain people though like the smoother and slightly sweeter malts. They are put off by the heavy smoke the classic islays that most of us love. That’s where the select comes in. It’s a beginner malt for someone willing to try an Islay. The smoke is there but it’s hiding behind a bit of toffee. Add a drop of water and it bursts into a very honeyed sweetness with a hint of smoke right at the end. I wouldn’t recommend it for the Islay heads but it’s a good start if Laphroaig wants to make a malt without the heavy peat. All in all I'd say a decent 7/10
