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

Laphroaig 1990/2008 Hart Brothers

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

Laphroaig 1986/2011 A. D. Rattray

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

Laphroaig 1995/2011 Signatory

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

Laphroaig 1990/2011 Wilson & Morgan

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

Laphroaig 1991/2011 The Whisky Agency

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

Laphroaig 1990/2011 The Whisky Agency

March 3, 2012

This is a quintesential Laphroaig, much cleaner and crisper than the original bottlings in a way. – Rating: 88/100

Lagavulin Distillers Edition 1993/2009

February 6, 2012

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A brilliant combination of fruit and smoke. The PX sherry combines very well with the Lagavulin distillery style. – Rating: 88/100

Laphroaig 1998/2010 The Whisky Cask

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

Laphroaig 1998/2011 Malts of Scotland

September 29, 2011

This Laphroaig is a bit on the sweet side which complements the smoke and spice very nicely. – Rating: 86/100

Laphroaig 12 yo 1996 The Whisky Society

September 12, 2011

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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

Laphroaig 1989/2009 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask

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

Laphroaig 1999/2010 Nectar Of The Daily Dram

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

Laphroaig 16 yo 1994 Cadenhead’s

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

Laphroaig 11 yo “Vom Fass”

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

Laphroaig Triple Wood

December 15, 2010

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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

Laphroaig 1996/2010 Malts of Scotland

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

Comparing Three Laphroaig 10 yo Cask Strength

August 27, 2010

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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.

Laphroaig Cairdeas Feis Ile 2010

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

Laphroaig 1990/2010 Signatory

July 15, 2010

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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

Laphroaig 10 yo Cask Strength

July 14, 2010

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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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