Laphroaig
Fact Sheet
Founded: 1815
Current owner: Fortune Brands (Maker’s Mark etc.)
Stills: 3 wash, 3 spirit
Capacity: 2.7 million litres per year
Location: Near Port Ellen, Isle of Islay
Website: www.laphroaig.com
Notable Facts: Laphroaig has the reputation of being the most uncompromisingly phenolic malt. This property saved if from being banned during the US prohibition because it was regarded as medication.
Report of my visit to Laphroaig Distillery
Bottlings
May 6, 2012
Quite unusual for a Laphroaig and obviously from a worn-out cask. Not all bad, but not all good either. – Rating: 76/100
April 26, 2012
A very strong wood influence takes away some of the fruity delights pleasing the nose. This is a very un-medicinal Laphroaig. – Rating: 85/100
April 16, 2012
It may not be immediately recognizable as a Laphroaig, but it’s a fine example of a rather typical Islay style malt. – Rating: 86/100
March 24, 2012
The full sherry impact masks the Laphroaig-ness here, still this is a fine dram which shows that peat and sherry can get along very well. – Rating: 85/100
March 10, 2012
An unusual sherried Laphroaig, the wine takes away some of the maritime peat punch and replaces it with a nice fruitiness. – Rating: 86/100
March 3, 2012
This is a quintesential Laphroaig, much cleaner and crisper than the original bottlings in a way. – Rating: 88/100
February 6, 2012
A brilliant combination of fruit and smoke. The PX sherry combines very well with the Lagavulin distillery style. – Rating: 88/100
November 26, 2011
I can only describe this malt as very crisp. It is not overly complex but it leaves no doubt that it is a very fine young Laphroaig, focussing on the essentials. – Rating: 87/100
September 29, 2011
This Laphroaig is a bit on the sweet side which complements the smoke and spice very nicely. – Rating: 86/100
September 12, 2011
Not really typical for the distillery, but this is a malt whisky which gets your fantasy rolling. The essence of Islay in a glass. Perfection. – Rating: 90/100
July 19, 2011
This dram is living proof that combining peat and sherry can work very well. Strangely it feels slighty watery neat, but adding a little water gives it some more depth. – Rating: 89/100
July 5, 2011
The sherry cask adds a slight fruitiness to this Laphroaig that is in perfect balance with the trademark medicinal peat. Very delicious! – Rating: 91/100
May 26, 2011
This fine peated dram has got the typical Laphroaig tang, but it is not quite as flavour-laden as the standard distillery bottlings, probably because it does not seem to have been matured in a first fill cask. – Rating: 85/100
January 11, 2011
A very nice Laphroaig with a rather typical flavour profile, just a little smoother and less aggressive than the original 10 yo. – Rating: 86/100
December 15, 2010
The sherry is well noticeable and is taming the rough distillery character a little. Quite smooth on the palate despite the 48% and not as medicinal as the 10 yo. – Rating: 87/100
December 8, 2010
This is a very unusual Laphroaig as it displays almost none of the medicinal notes that the distillery is so well known for. But it’s a very high quality malt with a lot going on in the nose and on the palate. – Rating: 89/100
August 27, 2010
I was lucky enough to secure samples of batches 001 and 002 of the new bottlings. And I happen to have an open bottle of the now obsolete 55.7% red stripe CS on my shelf. Time to pour three wee drams and hunt down the differences.
August 11, 2010
Not as medicinal as the reular expressions in favour of a nice citrus fruitiness. The 2010 Cairdeas is a bit unusual but very enjoyable nonetheless. – Rating: 87/100
July 15, 2010
Compared to the 10yo Cask Strength this is a rather mild Laphroaig, but the higher age does not really result in a more rounded character. – Rating: 83/100
July 14, 2010
The true essence of Islay. This uncompromising malt does not take prisoners. Extremely complex and much better than the regular 10 yo for an unbeatable price. – Rating: 91/100
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October 10, 2011
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June 16, 2011
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June 13, 2011
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February 9, 2011
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January 29, 2011
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January 1, 2011
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December 29, 2010
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November 13, 2010
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October 23, 2010
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September 14, 2010
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September 4, 2010
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August 31, 2010
Place of Residence: Turckheim, France
Profession: Advertising agency
Whisky Involvement: Ratings, Tasting Notes, Malt Manaic
July 19, 2010
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July 4, 2010
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June 16, 2010
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