Laphroaig QA Cask 1l

Subtle but Het ye oan th' coupon wi' a lairge kipper!

7th December 2017

Sublime, and outclassed only by the 'Friends of Laphroaig' cask strength version at 57 proof.

27th August 2017

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.

9th August 2017

It is an excellent balance price quality it is a smooth peated line of Laphroaig

17th July 2017

Outstanding whisky want to buy 6 bottles today

4th July 2017

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!

20th June 2017

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.

18th November 2016

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!

12th September 2016

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.

29th July 2016

Great drop from Laphroaig guys again. Well balanced, sweet with peat, fruity and oaky, gingery aftertaste, simply irresistible

15th June 2016

Is it "a cheap" watered down whisky..? Well, I don't think that the distillery had to use a lot of resources to produce this whisky...

2nd April 2016

Tasty, the 10 still rules.

27th February 2016

Retains the intense flavor of the 10yr old but the palate is a nice combination of smokiness and mild spicy and sweetness that makes it more silky and very distinct from the 10yr old.

21st January 2016

5 stars cause of the price and what you get out of it.

8th December 2015

Very enjoyable strong peat with a vanilla boom. In mouth not as complex as other Islays but still rich and salty. Medium finish. Not better than the 10yr old a bit lighter but overall great experience. Still nothing from Islay can beat the Lagavulin 16 experience

5th December 2015