Archive for the ‘ Laphroaig ’ Category

06/10/11 Laphroaig SMWS 29.81

A cold, wet, miserable Scottish night, wood-burning stove roaring merrily and a 16yo cask of Laphroaig. Nice.

Herbal and strongly perfumed and intensely smoky. Soap, sea air, disinfectant, lime zest.

Much lighter bodied than I expected, a little odd actually, it’s so floral that I find it a bit overpowering.

Disappointing. In fact, I have to say that I’m not enjoying it at all.

Which means…

1/5.

Shocking I know. The lowest score I’ve given to an SMWS bottle so far.

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2011
10/06
CATEGORY
Islay
Laphroaig
SMWS
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22/09/11 Laphroaig 15

Did you know that Laphroaig was one of the first single-malt Scotch whiskies to reach the US? Nope, me neither and I never would have guessed. According to Michael Jackson, Prohibition was still in force but there was a loophole which allowed whisky to be sold for medical purposes!

Quintessential heavily-peated Laphroaig this one: Coal smoke, tar, iodine, seaweed, wet grass.

Long, dry, salty finish. Beautiful coastal oak.

It’s certainly medicinal… I love it.

Surprisingly smooth for all it’s powerful flavours, very nicely balanced.

4/5

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2011
09/22
CATEGORY
Islay
Laphroaig
1 comment

26/08/11 Laphroaig Quarter Cask

An interesting dram from Laphroaig tonight, this is a fairly young single malt which is finished in a 1/4 full size cask, the idea being that the much higher ratio of surface area:volume matures the whisky more quickly and with a unique intensity.

It’s a cracker. Not as medicinal as the 10yo but very oily. It’s sweet with young malt, a little tar, green apples, serious smoke, almonds, vanilla, some warm spices.

Very nicely balanced but that intense sooty smoke is never far away.

Gorgeous long warming finish.

A lovely dram, really tasty.

4/5

2011
08/26
CATEGORY
Islay
Laphroaig
2 comments

15/07/11 Laphroaig Triple Wood

A new purchase today, Laphroaig Triple Wood.

Bottled at 48%, this dram is matured in ex-bourbon then quarter-casks before a final finishing period in European sherry casks, presumably sherry butts.

Charcoal smoke and coal soot, intensely salty bacon but balanced amazingly well by sweet summer fruits (red apples and raspberries), light spices and cream. Vanilla fudge, bbq, cherries, autumn bonfire.

Wow. A very gentle Laphroaig, with about 20% water it’s stupendous.

5/5, one of the best drams from this distillery I’ve ever had.

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2011
07/15
CATEGORY
Islay
Laphroaig
2 comments

05/06/11 SMWS 29.83 Laphroaig 20yo

A barbecue dram tonight, 20yo refill sherry butt from Laphroaig, courtesy of SMWS.

The nose is unmistakably Islay and, with a little thought, unmistakably Laphroaig – that infamous medicinal note is quite obvious. Some toffee, surprisingly gentle smoke, spicy bbq pork ribs.

Coal ash and wood embers on the palate, some light fruit, some honey. A beautiful balance of sweet and savoury.

An impressive dram, 3/5.

2011
06/05
CATEGORY
Islay
Laphroaig
SMWS
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