Scotch

Whisky Review: Laphroaig 10 Year Old

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Whisky Review: Laphroaig 10 Year Old

Laphroaig 10 Year Old is the flagship expression from the famous Islay distillery. How does it hold up under scrutiny?
  • Phil Dwyer is a whisky enthusiast, YouTuber, and manager of The Whisky Shop Manchester, UK.
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Tasting Notes:

About:
An absolutely classic example of Islay whisky. A smoky, dry, intense, world renowned liquid that will split the room when the smell of it hits peoples nostrils.
Appearance:
Light Orange
Nose:
I mean, this is the alcohol equivalent of a chemical fire, and I really love it. The TCP, the iodine the dryness! There is something about the dry quality of Laphroaig, even the cork sounds super dry as your try to pry it from the bottle. Just like everything else in this whisky, even the cork puts up a flight. Underneath this pungent approach are some wonderful notes that I always get from Laphroaig – white chocolate and hazelnut. There is some very creamy and sweet qualities to the nose which are always overlooked. Understandably so, they are hiding underneath a giant tyre fire.
Palate:
Quite a sweet arrival with banana and Victoria sponge cake. As this is only bottled at 40% you don’t quite get the instant impact of smoke that the nose offers, but it grows. As you move it around your palate the smoke starts to show its face but still in a pretty subtle way. The sweetness and smokiness combined to give you a smoked dark chocolate taste, this also has a decent level of saltines running around it, too. Sweeter than you might think.
Finish:
Smoke and spice finishes everything off. It’s like smoked tea, burnt herbs, a little jolt of Cajun spice and jalapeño. Then the smokiness starts to lie over your tongue in the wake of all of these darker, culinary flavours.
Comments:
I love this stuff. It’s potent, flavorful, affordable, available, divisive, and much sweeter than I remember it being. An absolute staple for any home bar.

Who Will Enjoy Laphroaig 10 Year Old?

Not everyone will enjoy Laphroaig 10 Year Old. But that’s okay! If you’re still yet to try this rather infamous bottle of scotch then it is almost a badge of honour as your friends watch you try it for the first time.

However, if you’re into Islay and smoke in general, even outside of whisky with things like Mezcal – Laphroaig is a perfect alternative to something that you may already enjoy. Its price makes it super available to all whisky drinkers. Yes, it isn’t a high ABV and all of that stuff, but it still makes its mark amongst a whole island of other peated products that do all come in a little more expensive.

How Does Laphroaig 10 Year Old Compare To Other Islay Whiskies?

You’ll know already as an Islay fan that Laphroaig stands its own ground in the realm of Islay whiskies. If you’re into the higher peated stuff then the best thing to compare Laphroaig to is its neighbours on Islay – Ardbeg and Lagavulin.

Ardbeg has a different approach to smoky whisky. It’s an oily, salty, briney, bonfire style of smoke. Lagavulin is a slightly closer comparison as it has those burnt herbs, and smoked tea notes – especially on Lagavulin 16 Year Old. A little further out on the island, it dwarfs Bowmore in many different ways, but they are designed to be different. Kilchoman is the only brand with its Machir Bay release that gives you a Laphroaig 10-style flavor. It’s got that smoky bacon, medicinal, slightly sweet feel to it.

Final Thoughts?

A whisky that divides people is always a good thing. We want to have different opinions on things in this industry, Laphroaig is the tip of the dagger when it comes to just smell alone. Outside of all of that, it’s an absolute classic that deserves every drop of attention it gets.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer's passion for whisky is undeniable. With a decade of experience in whisky retail and nearly as long running Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, Phil is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with fellow whisky lovers. His goal is to make whisky accessible and enjoyable, dispelling the jargon and complexity that can sometimes surround the spirit. In addition to his online presence, Phil manages The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curates an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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