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.
It's NOT going to taste like Laphroig 10. That's why you paid less for it. But it's a 6.5/10 Islay. Probably worth what you pay for it, which should be about £24 - £30.
This is a Marmite malt and you have to be in the mood to accept which side of the fence you sit. What is interesting are the comments on notes are .......all different. Personally as a quick pick me up this is a fine and bold adventure introducing Islay malts.
Laphroaig select is an acquired taste. The trouble is it will probably take more than a lifetime to acquire it.
More so that any other whisky that comes to mind, having the name "Laphroaig" on the label comes with certain expectations, so distinctive are this distillery's expressions. We all know what those expectations are -- no need to delve into that. So Laphroaig comes out with a gentler NAS young malt at a bargain price, and you'd think they committed a crime against humanity. Had they branded this differently under a different name than "Laphroaig" and sold this fine malt at its current shelf price, the whisky world would be celebrating it. Select is for those who appreciate value in a single malt (a rarity), and who don't rate an Islay by how smokey it is. Sweet, some nice sherry notes, the usual suspects are present but not overpowering, surprisingly smooth finish for a (presumably) young NAS Scotch. Nice. This is a fine malt at an excellent price. Hint -- if you prefer more smoke and peat than what Select has on offer, hit it with a few drops (no more than that) of their 10 or some Ardbeg 10 (they won't fight), swish it around in the glass and let it set for a few minutes. Viola. Great way to stretch either 10's you may have on hand and still get your smoke fix. That said, this is a fine dram all on its own. I actually prefer Select to Quarter Cask (what???), my least favorite (and most overrated imo) Laphroaig. As an affordable everyday single malt dram, Laphroaig hit this one out of the park. There is none better on the shelves. It's light light years beyond the usual off-brand mixed and vatted crap in this price range.
Perplexed by this underwhelming spirit carrying the legendary Laphroaig name. A lack of depth and a thin insipidness that was a surprise. I'm not fussy either but its like a watered down west coast malt.
