Laphroaig 10 Year (Scottish Islay Single Malt Whisky: 10 Year: 40% ABV)
Visual: An almost sherried gold, light but vibrant.
Viscosity: A mix of fast and slow streaks break out in a schizophrenic manner nigh instantly.
Nose: Peat, but more evident than that is iodine and medicinal punch which mostly hides the lighter vanilla back. Light sawmill wood and syrup.
Body: A higher dose of peat. Golden syrup. Slightly salty and sea influenced. Slight sherry and raspberry. Leather.
Finish: Peat, burnt charcoal. Iodine/antiseptic again. Rising warmth. Raisins.
Conclusion: Possibly the most unique and opinion splitting of all whiskies. Medicinal leather and peat, this is not one that will win over everyone.
Personally I love its harshness and uncompromising nature. Once you get used to the roughness there is surprising richness underneath, but most people don’t sense it for the first few measures due to its amazing strong main body.
This is a whisky where no review can tell you if you will like it, only experience will say of you love or hate this distinctive whisky.
Thankfully enough taverns carry this whisky that you can try without the marriage like commitment that a full bottle entails.
Yo A&A!
Well said! I remember the first time I tried this one. The smell when I opened the bottle immediately resulted in a chorus of “Hey! Who opened up the Kingsford?”. Definitely a polarizing whisky. Personally, I think it’s tremendous! Bold and very intense.
Cheers!
G-LO
I do love this whisky, in part because I keep hearing people say that there’s no way I can tell the difference between whiskies and it’s all in my head. So i do a blind taste demonstration between this and any other whisky ever. Shockingly, I’ve never failed to correctly identify it.
I gave up alcohol for Lent, guess what I drank to break the fast?
That’s right – love this Laphroaig.