Country Scotch Whisky
Region Islay Whisky
Distillery/Brand Laphroaig
Style Single Malt Whisky

Laphroaig QA Cask 1l

A litre bottling of Laphroaig's QA Cask single malt Scotch whisky, which is initially matured in ex-bourbon barrels before ensuring a finishing period in charred American white oak casks. With this finishing period paired with Laphroaig's classically intense flavour profile, you might be expecting a massively in-your-face dram, but the result is very well-balanced between coastal smoke and sweet, chewy vanilla notes.

The name comes from the Latin phrase 'Quercus Alba', meaning white oak. It was originally released for Travel Retail.

Allergy information

This product does not contain any notifiable allergens
More allergen information



Reviews for Laphroaig QA Cask (1L)
Braw
Subtle but Het ye oan th' coupon wi' a lairge kipper!
Master of Malt Customer
7 years ago
Knock out
Sublime, and outclassed only by the 'Friends of Laphroaig' cask strength version at 57 proof.
Iain W , United Kingdom
7 years ago
A beautifully balanced Laphroaig
Interesting how I came by this bottle. A staff member of mine lives on a duty-free island nearby and asked if I wanted him to bring me some cheap whisky on his recent trip to my city. Of course I did, so I asked for a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask -- even told him where to get it and what the price there was. So naturally he showed up (quite proudly, I might add) with the QA Cask. Attention to detail clearly isn't his strong suit, but I told him it was okay; I've never met a Laphroaig I didn't like (though if I'm being brutally honest, I would never buy the Select Cask bottling again). So after pondering my way through two drams of the QA, being very hesitant about it given the mixed reviews, my opinion is that it's a pretty solid offering, though not on par with the Quarter Cask and PX Cask bottlings, which are my two favourites in Laphroaig's NAS line-up. However, it stands up well enough on its own.

The QA Cask doesn't have the smoky peat bomb nose of the Quarter Cask, though it still has just enough peat, iodine, and subtle marine character to let you know its pedigree. The viscosity of this whisky, both in the glass and in the mouth, is fantastic and probably the single stand-out characteristic of this expression that captured my immediate attention. Really liked the mouthfeel of it when drinking it neat. A lovely, oily whisky, with a earthy sweetness, and a round, well-balanced bit of peatiness. More peat than something like a Highland Park 12, which is delicate and subtle, but less than the QC or Lagavulin 16. This is just a nice, easy-drinking (yet suitably complex) Islay that ticks all the boxes. Sweetness from the ex-bourbon barrels, smokiness from the peated malting, iodine from the coastal Islay location, and vanilla from the new American oak. Those vanilla notes are certainly present, both on the nose and in the mouth, but they're not quite as pronounced as some of the write-ups you see would lead you to believe. It seems to me that this expression was made with the aim of being balanced and nuanced. Everything about this whisky just whispers -- nothing shouts.

The QA Cask is chill-filtered and bottled at 40% ABV, both of which are slightly disappointing, but neither of which is a deal-breaker. Indeed, the fact that the whisky achieves such a stupendous viscosity despite those two stats is a testament to the distilling brilliance at work here. Nevertheless, I would be quite keen to sample this expression with no chill filtration and a tick more strength, perhaps 43%. Still a very nice whisky, and fits well within the Laphroaig family. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this one, and would not be upset if someone mistakenly showed up with this bottle for me once again.
Chad , Malaysia
7 years ago
Excellent balance, price & quality
It is an excellent balance price quality it is a smooth peated line of Laphroaig
Manuel Eduardo P , Argentina
7 years ago
Suuuuuppperrrrbbb man
Outstanding whisky want to buy 6 bottles today
Master of Malt Customer
8 years ago
It's Perfect, for Me.
I've read the reviews and I guess Laphroaig, according to the commments, should only make one or two versions on their product because Everyone should only enjoy the strongest flavors of scotch. I say this because I love all the Laphroaig products because they are different, yet the same, in a Laphroaig way. The QA is, in my opinion, a Great scotch. My favorite, No but Yes I'd buy another bottle in a second. Every style of scotch has it's place and I'm not in the mood for a 10 year old, slap you in the face with peat Scotch every night I drink. If you always have the same state of mind every time you drink, you are different than me and that's ok but my mood changes so do my taste for scotch and cigars. Laphroaig 10 goes well for me when I'm in the mood for a strong spicy cigar, after a great Nolan Ryan t-bone. The QA would be perfect with grilled lamb and medium spicy yet very complex cigar. You'll have to decide what You like, if you love Laphroaig like I do, please try this scotch! I'm a newbie to scotch and cigars, I've only been enjoying them for 20 plus years. You might want to refer to someone else for a better opinion. Cheers!
Oscar D , United States
8 years ago
Laphroaig QA Cask
If you are a Laphroaig fan and can find this at taxfree, buy it for sure.
You won't regret yourself cause this is good stuff. For this price? nah not really. It taste kinda like Laphroaig 10 but more spicy and less different flavours.
Master of Malt Customer
8 years ago
I am really enjoying this whisky
I received a bottle of the Laphroaig QA Cask for my birthday and i am really enjoying it. With my first taste first taste initially I thought this was "Laphroaig Light" as it lacked the strength and smokiness I was expecting (I suspect that this was just my expectation was colouring my taste). The flavour is extremely well balanced and this whisky delivers layer after layer of wonderful flavors.

If you want a medium peaty whisky with bags of taste, this is one to try!
Master of Malt Customer
8 years ago
Low in strength but nice balance
I really like this whisky, I prefer younger Laphroaigs, although I prefer Quartercask over this, I think the QA cask is more complex than the 10 year old.

Ive never tasted a Laphroaig I didn't like.

Very distinctive and oily vanilla oak notes and the Laphroaig smokyness balanced well together. Recommended for the price at duty frees, but not recommended for the price on this site.
Dag , Sweden
8 years ago
Wally loves this beauty 😀
Great drop from Laphroaig guys again. Well balanced, sweet with peat, fruity and oaky, gingery aftertaste, simply irresistible
Wallym , Czech Republic
9 years ago