The Legend
Officially founded in 1815, the Laphroaig Distillery resides on the island of Islay and produces some of the best peated scotch whiskeys. As with most farmers, the founding brothers used their surplus barley they couldn’t use to feed their cattle to distill whisky.
Tiffs with blenders at a neighboring distillery, interestingly enough it was Lagavulin then owned by Mackie and Co, threatened to shut them down before they really took off. Without their water supply cut off they would not be able to function. Fortunately, the tiff was resolved by the courts and the distillery continued making the great whisky they were known for.
Today Laphroaig has become known for its imaginative expressions. Laphroaig 10 yr is the most common expression coming from the distillery and is always among the top on my list of Islay scotches I like to keep around.
Tasting Notes
Laphroaig 10 yr Sherry Oak Finish
Distiller: Laphraoig
Region: Islay
Mash Bill: Malted barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-Oloroso sherry
Age: 10 yr
ABV: 48%
Proof: 96
Retail Price: ~$75-90
Color: great color, deep amber with orangish/reddish tones like a brandy or port
Legs: slow, medium bodied legs
Nose: toasted marshmallows, marshmallow char, fortified wine, campfire charred wood smoke, rich raisins, hints of dried, tart cherries, notes of candied pecans and cinnamon sugar as the sip progresses
Palate: peat smokiness, a little heat, dried cherries and raisins, earthiness, mouth coating mouthfeel
Finish: long, nice hug, raisin skins, hint of char, very light hint of bandaid, stays inside the lower lip for a bit
This unique expression from Laphroaig combines the unforgettable flavour of our 10-year-old whisky with the sweet, aromatic flavours from the Oloroso sherry casks.
From Laphroaig
Final Thoughts
The sherry oak finish does not diminish the smokiness of the 10yr, and it softens the palate and the finish and introduces delightful dried fruit notes
Overall: 🥃🥃🥃🥃 – it’s peatiness with added rich fruits for a complex, yet balanced sip
Have you tried this expression from Laphroaig?
What are your thoughts?
Let us know in the comments below.
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