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 bought this by accident in my local garage in the mistaken belief that it was the ten year old at a knock down price. At first I was annoyed with myself but then I remembered that back in the 90's I used to buy single cask bottlings at a small uplift over the regular price. They didn't taste exactly like the ten year old blend and I enjoyed identifying the differences. I approached the Select in the same spirit. Some elements are dialled up and some dialled down. There is less smoke and peat and more hard peel from orchard fruits. If you don't like island malts you won't like this. But if you do then this is clearly a Laphroaig and there is nothing to be frightened about. Good Health.
This whisky must be hit and miss. I had 30ml in a bar today and thought it was decent. I picked up a bottle tonight and unfortunately it is terrible. It has three tastes, cheap sweet, bit of smoke and a chemical finish. I am terribly disappointed, I should have got Ardbeg 10 year.
Tastes like someone dropped a gallon of the disinfectant TCP in the barrel before bottling. Not in any way a good whisky. Will be pouring it down the sink. I was given it as a gift. I won’t be giving it to any of my whisky loving friends as it may ruin the friendship
One of the worst bottles of whisky I've ever owned. I've enjoyed other Laphroaig expressions and respect the brand, but this is undrinkable. It tastes like badly cooked meat and burnt upholstery. Every dram I've poured has later been poured down the drain.
Love laphroag but this laphroag Select is rather rough. Not sure I'd buy it again. Will stick to Laphroag 10.
