Islay

Laphroaig 28 Year Old

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky / ,

Laphroaig 28 Year Old
44.4% ABV
$799
Website

What the Distiller Says
Over a quarter century in the making. Laphroaig 28 Year Old is a limited luxury meant to savor.

Laphroaig 28 Year Old is an exceptional expression that has been matured for 28 years in a suite of artfully selected casks. First matured in different sizes from quarter casks to butts, the liquid is married in sherry casks to age for its final 12 months.

COLOR: Coppery gold.
NOSE: Rich and peaty with aroma of grilled dates, Manuka honey, and a hint of licorice, complemented by notes of Islay heather, dry thyme and rosemary.
BODY: Full bodied.
PALATE: Sweet with baked pears and vanilla notes complemented by salted toffee, burnt wood, marinated grilled meat, and ground black pepper.
FINISH: Sweet and peppery with dried spices, cedar and complex lingering peaty flavor.

What Gary Says
Nose: Thick, peaty sea air w/ notes of honey, sultanas, iodine, leather, and a hint of tangy, smokey barbecue.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, intense sweetness, pears, honey, rice pudding with a hint of balsamic vinegar; subdued peat.
Finish: Long, lingering with sweet notes and savory but subtle spices.
Comments: If you’ve read my other reviews, you know my history with Laphroaig. This is just an exquisite dram; the oldest Laphroaig I’ve had the pleasure of tasting, and it has indeed been a pleasure. The peat and medicinal notes that fans of Laphroaig have grown to love are still present, but they are tamed in this presentation, with more complex sweet notes on the nose and palate. The final 12 months of maturation in sherry is a lovely touch – adding depth and richness to the sweet notes, balancing out the peat and sea air – but not changing the foundation of that classic Laphroaig profile. On my second tasting, I poured some Laphroaig 18 yr for a comparison, and that really highlighted the difference of that sherry finishing (although the other casks used throughout the maturation undoubtedly played a significant role). Much more gentle and refined, with less peppery edge than the 18 yr. Very well crafted, and delicious representation!
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

We would like to thank Laphroaig and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

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Laphroaig Cairdeas Fino Cask Finish

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Laphroaig Cairdeas Fino Cask Finish
51.8% ABV
$80
Website

What the Distiller Says
Each year, Laphroaig Distillery Manager, John Campbell, crafts a limited edition malt to celebrate friendship (“Cairdeas” in Gaelic). Released in limited quantities stateside as one of the most a highly anticipated Laphroaig offerings each year, the 2018 iteration, Cairdeas Fino Cask, features notes of toasted almonds, dried fruit and sea salt, all of which perfectly complement the whisky’s peaty, unmistakably Laphroaig flavor.

Crafted in the spirit of ‘friendship’, the 2018 bottling of this annual release whisky is perfect to share with friends old and new. Laid to rest in Warehouse 8 and 10, Cairdeas Fino Cask showcases an especially unique double maturation process in first-fill bourbon casks, followed by Fino Sherry Casks.

COLOR: Golden amber
NOSE: Toasted almonds
BODY: Full bodied
PALATE: Dried fruit and sea salt
FINISH: Laphroaig’s signature peaty flavor

What Gary Says
Nose: Sea air, brine, peat, medicinal notes with a touch of citrus sweetness and mixed nuts.
Palate:  Sweet, peaty with notes of caramel custard, spongecake and almonds underneath.
Finish:  Moderate in length, damp with hints of stewed fruits as it fades.
Comments:  I’m a fan of Laphroaig to be sure (so I’m biased like that), but in general I commend them for having a limited edition that isn’t outrageously expensive, and also is true to the core spirit. If you don’t like Laphroaig, you probably won’t like this – because it tastes like Laphroaig, with a subtle twist. I appreciate that they aren’t trying to turn it into something completely different (not to knock innovation of that nature either). I found this to be a delightful and enjoyable pour. Compared to your standard Laphroaig 10yr, I find this to be a tad less medicinal with just a bit more citrus and nutty sweetness. I found a bit of water tamped down those nuances (the peat isn’t subdued that easily), but at 51.8% this didn’t need any water. I don’t know that I loved this as much as last year’s Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask, as the differences were more subtle and nuanced. But I definitely like it a lot, and wouldn’t turn down anyone offering it!
Rating: Stands Out

We would like to thank Laphroaig and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

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Cadenhead’s 1842 Live Cask: Islay

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Cadenhead’s 1842 Live Cask: Islay
Bottled 5/24/2016
55% ABV
$25 (200 mL)
Website

What the Bottler Says
The Cadenhead’s 1842 Live Casks contain two or more single malts from the region they represent. Visitors to the store can buy bottles of various sizes. The casks and contents are changes periodically, so if you like a particular pour, best to buy when you can!

What Gary Says
Nose:  Sea air, brine, peat, iodine with pepper spice.
Palate:  Earthy peat with hints of honey, pepper spice bite at the end.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying and peppery.
Comments:  I bought this while visiting their London store in May 2016. It is a solid representation of Islay with big peat and sea air. Some water definitely helps bring it into a better balance, allowing more of the honeyed sweetness to cut through. I was really intrigued by this concept of “live casks” where they bottle right there in front of you (and, I couldn’t find anything else in stock and refused to leave empty handed!) Glad I did – very enjoyable pour.
Rating: Stands Out

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Advent Day 13: Big Strand

/ / Islay, Review, Richard's Blog, Scottish Whisky /

Thirteen days in and the whisky advent calendar delivers me something that I had not previously heard of….

Big Strand Islay Single Malt Whisky
46% ABV
$40

What the Bottler Says
Not really anything. No website, press release, or really anything.

What Richard Says
Nose: Smoky and meaty.
Palate: Surprisingly sweet with notes of roasted peppers and salty sea air.
Finish: Hot and dry.
Comments: I would pass on this one. There is plenty of Islay malt out there but this one is unbalanced and feels cobbled together. This is probably either a product of young or poorly chosen whisky.
Rating: Probably Pass

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Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask

/ / Islay, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
57.2% ABV
$115
Website

What the Distillery Says
For several years, our Friends of Laphroaig have been interested in tasting a Cask Strength version of our popular Laphroaig Quarter Cask — which offers an irresistible doubling of flavour, due to the double maturation in two barrels made of American oak. This year we decided to bring this dream into reality.

First fill Makers Mark casks have been used for the first maturation of 5+ years in Warehouse 1 next to the Atlantic Ocean. Different ages have been awoken temporarily to be brought together, before laying to rest for a second time in our smaller quarter casks (125lt). After a further 6 month maturation, the liquid from 177 of these casks were put into the bottle at Cask Strength, with no colour, no chilling and a simple barrier filtration.

What Gary Says
Nose: “Classic Laphroaig” profile – medicinal (band-aids, iodine, rubber bands), sea air, peat, earthy – but with a really nice hint of sherry sweetness followed by some smoke; not as hot or sharp as I’d expect at this proof.
Palate: Oily mouthfeel with sweet malt that kicks up after a bit, with pepper, peat, sour oak and smoke throughout.
Finish: Fairly long and with a drying peppery smokiness that leaves me wanting more.
Comments: I’ve found that Laphroaig is typically one of those “polarizing whiskies” – most folks either really like it or don’t care for it at all. I’m in the “really like it” camp. Laphroaig holds a special place for me as the first Scotch I fell in love with, and my first sip of this one lit me up inside. It reminds me of Laphroaig PX Cask, which I really enjoy (but unfortunately can’t buy retail in the US). It has that nice sweetness added to the peaty/medicinal/sea-air profile. This drinks like a lower proof pour – and while water doesn’t hurt it (really maintains that nice oily mouthfeel), I didn’t find myself needing to add any. If you’re a fan of Laphroaig, I’d absolutely look for a chance to give this a shot.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says
Nose: The nose of this reaches out and grabs you. As soon as it goes from bottle to class the smokey, seaweed laden smell come right at you. Spend more time with a bit of water in it and creamy vanilla notes start to come out.
Palate: More of that rich and creamy vanilla hits you first before it starts to settle in to campfire smoke and a classic Laphroaig astringent medicinal flavor, not unlike Bandaids.
Finish: I’m left with a heavier medicinal finish and wisps of smoke. There is also something there that’s almost meaty.
Comments: The only Laphroaig better than Laphroaig is cask strength Laphroaig. If there is every a scotch that carries proof well it is Laphroaig. This is everything good about the Quarter Cask kicked up a notch. I’m saying this is a must try whisky but you don’t care for Islay scotches then this probably isn’t for you. It’s not the most interesting Islay out there but if you like your scotch young and peaty then this one is for you.
Rating: Must Try

We would like to thank Laphroaig for sending us a sample to review.

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