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Review: Laphroaig Elements L2.0

The Laphroaig Elements L2.0 is an interesting and alternative malt from the long-living, famous distillery.

OVERALL RATING

9
$155
  • Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant with over a decade of experience in whisky retail and online whisky education. Best known for hosting Whisky Wednesday on YouTube, he is dedicated to making whisky accessible and enjoyable by cutting through jargon and complexity.
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Tasting Notes

About:

A non-chill filtered, long fermented expression from Laphroaig. Bottled at a rather intense 59.6% ABV – this is a must for any Islay drinker. Longer fermentation of pre-distillate are typically much fruitier and tropical in their approach to aroma. As a result, you get all of the classic Laphroaig notes, but with an extra twist!
Appearance:
Straw Gold
Nose:
No getting away from that fact it’s a Laphroaig! But underneath the power of the peat, some gentle and very pleasant notes arrive.

Laphroaig has always had a soft white chocolate note for me. And it’s hear, but a little more subdued in the wake of green apple, peach juice, and dried apricots. The dominant and most interesting note is that of hazlenut, bit it almost morphs into a chocolate spread, dried hazlenut approach.

Even with this, there are still some industrial notes going on. Very old school Ardbeg industrial aromas of creosote and WD40.
Palate:
A very gentle arrival! Soft fruits as expected from that longer fermentation, but a huge and oily texture to go along with it.

There are building spices from higher ABV and a soft chilli spice. Overall it is green, herby, smoky and dry, it’s like supercharged French vermouth!
Finish:
Not as dry as standard Laphroaig can be, but it’s still a Laphroaig at its core. More of those hazlenut, herb and soft fruit flavours. Then it gets really juicy with nectarine and satsuma juices, intertwined with pine, wood, and burnt thyme.
Comments:
I love this! If you’re an Islay drinker then this is totally worth your time, especially as a long term drinker to compare with other Islay releases over the next few years.

This reminds me a lot of Torabhaig, who also priortise a longer fermentation overall.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Phil Dwyer

Phil Dwyer is a freelance whisky writer and consultant. 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 managed The Whisky Shop Manchester, where he curated an impressive selection of some of the finest drams available.

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