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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Stick to the 10yo... It’s infinitely better. Much more well-rounded and complex. Not really sure what they were going for here but they haven’t come close to nailing it. Tastes rough and ready (which isn’t always a bad thing) but doesn’t have the punch to pull it off. Will never buy this again.
Very enjoyable dram. Still peaty but less medicinal than the standard job. Still smoky and oaky and a strong rich taste. After reading the review I really get the mint, citrus and sharp apple flavour. Always learning!
I think the low ratings are missing the point a bit with this one. This is not 10-year and it isn't intended to be so. At the price point, this is a phenomenal dram. Give it a try and actually work through the whole bottle, don't take one sip say it's not 10-year and throw it away..
Not a typical Laphroaig at all. The diverse barrel aging strategy seems to have provided perhaps a little more smoothness mellowness, but it’s missing so much of the expected peat, medicinal, and other Laphroaig character that it’s overall a disappointment, especially at this price. This makes it taste like a highland with a little extra peat and smoke, but that’s not why one chooses Laphroaig. Talisker, Highland Park, Clynelish, all have more unique character than this. Why would you take a tiger and make a pussycat out of it. It’s not a bad dram, but at this price there’s much better for less money.
On the nose medicinal notes with obvious peat . Stewed baked apples and oily texture on the palate . On the finish sea and maritime notes which linger pleasently.
