Distiller Notes
#7 Whisky Advocate Top 20 Whiskies of 2018
Non-chill filtered and bottled at natural distillery strength. We mature Laphroaig in seasoned oak barrels, charred before filling to impart a slight sweet vanilla nuttiness. The taste is a full blast of salt, peat and smoke that is richly flavored with a fading sweetness at the finish.
Professional Ratings
-
Whisky Advocate
Bottling at cask strength, with only ‘barrier filtering’ to remove particles of char, rather than the standard chill-filtration process, gives the whisky greater integrity, with heightened aromas and flavors, and a satisfyingly sinewy mouthfeel not found in the standard 10 year old. Classic ‘burning hospital’ notes feature on the nose, along with peaty malt, vanilla, lemon, and brine. Charcuterie and cocoa powder add to the effect on the palate, before phenolic, medicinal, and sweet malt notes bring things to a close. A must-have Laphroaig that represents a big step up in intensity.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Islay's Laphroaig is famed for its intensely peaty profile, and this single-malt Scotch delivers on that reputation. The amber spirit opens with a smoky aroma that's underpinned by vanilla and light floral notes. There's plenty of peat on the palate too, backed by olive brine, espresso and chocolate characteristics. Beware: Cask strength means that an overproof alcohol level delivers strong flavor but also a hefty burn.
“A good gulp of hot Scotch Whisky at bedtime–it’s not very scientific, but it helps!”
Alexander Fleming, Scottish inventor of penicillin, prescribed it as a cure for the common cold. Today Single Malt Scotch Whiskies are prized by enthusiasts and aficionados the world over for their rarity, age and complexity. By definition these must be produced in Scotland from a single distillery and made entirely from malted barley, using a pot still. The appearance, aroma and flavor of a Single Malt Scotch Whisky can vary widely depending on whether it was produced in the Highlands, Lowlands Islands, Speyside, Islay or Campbelltown regions.