Perfectly balanced Laphroaig Cask Strength batch 17
There are not a lot of age stated Laphroaig expressions left in the core range of the famous Islay distillery, but the yearly cask strength edition is still maintaining its 10 years old label. We try to monitor it every so many years, and it hardly ever disappoints. Let us dive into a more recent release from the year 2023. Also, having recently visited the Laphroaig Distillery on Islay, keep your eyes on this page for an upcoming instalment of Tom’s Dram Diary! For your pleasure, I already included a picture of the insides of the warehouse at the sea (you know, with the famous white letters on it).
Laphroaig 10 years old, cask strength, batch 17 bottled at 58,3 % abv
First things first: Batch 17 of the 10 years old Laphroaig cask strength was bottled in November 2023 and was matured in ex-bourbon barrels. A yearly release by the Islay distillery.
Upon Sipping: Quite a dark colour on the liquid in the glass, as if sherry casks were used in this batch. I could not discover if any colouring was adding to this expression. In any case, this cask strength Laphroaig is a pleasure to sniff. Nice, medicinal peat and dry earth on the nose, with hints of fruitiness instead of (only) lemon. Some caramel, some iodine, it depends on when you put the glass under your nose, because the smells change ever so often. Very entertaining, for sure. The taste is very dark and heavy, with lots of earthy tones and an incredibly powerful exit. Laphroaig is quite right to call this the powerful one! It leaves an impression. Very medicinal, with hints of iodine indeed; I am guessing my Betadine tastes like this if I would ever feel the need. This Laphroaig displays excellent interplay between whisky and casks, good balance between the peat and darker notes coming from wood. Truly adorable (if you like getting kicked in the teeth, that is).
With water, the barn doors are opened and out comes the muddy animal farm. The peat turns more into a charcoal smoked element and some of the sweetness makes way for a more outspoken vanilla note. The balance on this Laphroaig is most impressive.
Word to the Wise: A lot of people complain about the standard bottlings done by Laphroaig. We should not forget that this is an Islay whisky for the masses. But between all these regular outings the cask strength is a breathe of fresh (but peaty) air that has a craft soul. This particular expression can stand proud between the best Islay has to offer. I would say, if the master blender would dare to throw in some sherry casks, this Laphroaig goes over the 90-point line.
Score: 89 points.
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