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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Supposedly an entry-level Laphroaig, with a mixed bag of cask finishes blended together in an attempt to dial down the distillery’s signature medicinal iodine wildness. Unpleasant, jumbled nose of cough syrup, kippers, orange spangles and fag-ash. Surprisingly sweet on the palate, with a fruity peatiness and a lightly oily mouthfeel. Mercifully short on the finish. Overall a pretty poor effort from a distillery that seems to be losing its way.
I found the 10yr old to pack a bit too much of a smokey punch, it left me with a serious need to quench my thirst. This however brought me closer to understanding the underlying flavours of Laphroaig. I do like it and think it'll be a regular in my cabinet. Add to the fact that I paid 21 euros for it, nothing out there can best it.
After sipping Speyside malts I found this Islay a bit of a shock. Very smokey almost like drinking kippers. After persevering, I'm wasn't going to to pour it down the drain, I have got to quite like it, but it is recognisably different to other whiskies. For that, it is worth a try and if you are with your pals you could be having the whole bottle to yourself while they share a bottle of Johnny Walker Red Label.
Acquired for £23 in a £10 off supermarket deal. Not worth it. Thin, weak, smokey nose. Peat, smoke, ash, pepper, salt, oranges and lemons mouth, but very thin. Not rounded or thick and oily. Finish is pure fag ash. What have Laphroaig done? Extremely disappointing, shame on them.
It’s a nice dram, but I much prefer the 10 year old. As I only have a wee glass now and again am happy to pay a few pence a glass more for the more robust peaty iodine flavour of the 10 y o.
