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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It's reminds me of a blend...it's pleasant but a bit confused, a badged sports car without the engine. Certainly not medicinal like Lagavulin or Ardbeg 10 yo , it's oily and light, like Lagavulin but lacks the iodine and kind of simmers out to a pepper note where fruit develops but then doesn't....then finishes with pepper but no punch.. Will put this aside for friends to introduce them to Islay , too light on for me.
I'd imagine that some of the negative reviews for this new expression of Laphroaig are from hardcore peat lovers who are disappointed by its relatively laid back nature. Now don't get me wrong, I truly love Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig's various peat monsters but that doesn't mean we can't have whiskies like Select with its stunning chocolatey nose and beautifully well balanced sweet/savoury flavour. Here the peat dominates but doesn't overpower. At first I was a little underwhelmed as I was expecting that medicinal slap to the senses. It's there alright but just stood back a little. Once you adjust your expectations you'll find an utterly delightful single malt that has a nice sherried edge to it, great breadth of flavour and a perfectly drawn out finish. Highly recommend.
I love the peaty Islay style but also equally enjoy single malts from all over - yes I like variety. Now Laphroaig Select is an entry level offering which in my view encapsulates what Laphroaig is all about without too much emphasis on any particular aspect of their usual medicinal, smoky, peaty heavyweights. So an easier to get to grips with dram that I am very happy with. I will not look to this for a cold winters night by the fire but sitting in shorts and T-shirt on the patio as the sun goes down - perfect.
I bought this expecting a true Laphroaig, which for the record I have been drinking since I was given a miniature by my parents as a 20 something and was immediately hooked. I usually drink it neat. I opened this with some exitement, the nose was there, just, but I found it weak, and slightly bitter on the palate with little longevity. Not in Laphroaig tradition. I have nothing against change, as long it's for the better, which in my humble opinion this isn't regrettably. I will suffer it to the finish, and then put it down to experience. I shall put this in the same category as a Vesta Curry, curry for people who don't like curry, well this is Laphroaig for people who don't like Laphroaig.
It has a raft of different flavours attacking not only your taste buds but also your nasal receptors. I found that it came across as quite strong for a 40%, but very moorish and you can definitely taste the different casks. I have two bottles, the first of which has a different taste every time i open it (the second one is yet to be opened ;). Flavours i found are: Citrus = 4/10, smoke = 7/10, peat = 6/10, hops = 6/10, spice = 5/10 and sweetness 4/10 (sporadic) and usually to the end of the note. Complete different whisky if you add a splash of water. Overall give it a go, there is no such thing is a bad whisky!
