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.
In a blindfold test I would not have guess it to be an Islay scotch of any kind. Where's the smoke? It is like a nice Highland scotch. Give me the 10 year anytime, but not this.
Agreed on the tasting notes of medicinal and very smoky peat nose up front. Tastes of pepper first, bursting with peaty smoke and about the same on the finish with a wee taste of mint. To compare, my ideal Scotch while growing some experience in tasting for maybe 1.5 years (attended one Whisky Live, VIP) is Bowmore Darkest Islay 15 yr. Also LOVE Forty Creek's John K. Hall Confederation Oak Reserve.
Classic peat flavor mixed with immature moonshine whiskey. Seems like an 80 proof effort to make good whiskey in short supply last longer. Thinning the soup, except with scotch. Not awful, But definitely not impressed
My wife doesn't drink whisky, but has a keen nose for a malt. She picked up on the mint, lemon and chocolate.
I, like others here, wonder why there's so much negativity towards this lovely dram. Yes it's different. Yes it's not like the standard expression, but why would it be? It's another type of process and that gives you a completely different type of whisky. Ok, so don't go going into this expecting a full whack from the likes of the standard and the quarter cask. However if you fancy a little fruit with your smoke this is for you. The sherry really adds a different twist to it which I personally loved. I bought three I like it so much. And for this price it's a steal. Highly recommend it Dr Yam
