Scotch

Laphroaig Elements L2.0

$155
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OVERALL
RATING

9

Review: Laphroaig Elements L2.0

The Laphroaig Elements L2.0 is an interesting and alternative malt from the long-living, famous distillery.
  • Phil Dwyer is a whisky enthusiast, YouTuber, and manager of The Whisky Shop Manchester, UK.
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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.

What Makes Laphroaig Elements L2.0 different?

If you’re looking to purchase something a little different from Islay that isn’t solely relying on heavy merchandising and advertising, then this is it. The Laphroaig Elements L2.0 is an interesting and alternative malt from the long-living, famous distillery.

A focus on a longer fermentation run before its distillation has amplified those subtler notes Laphroaig can have, along with bringing out these fruity notes that are unexpected but very welcome.

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Don’t be tricked into thinking that this bottle has lost all of its classic Laphroaig charm, though. It still has a huge smoky character to it, but whilst also being able to showcase a little more of those lesser-seen notes from Laphroaig.

Is The Laphroaig Elements L2.0 Value For Money?

Regarding its value for money, you are always going to have to spend a little more when it comes to ‘special’ Islay whiskies. If we look at Ardbeg releases over the years, the Kilchoman 16 year old that came out last year, the somewhat damp squib that was this year’s Feis Ile festival. Can you remember the last time Feis Ile happened and nobody was singing about a particular bottle? The prices are high, hopefully they’ll fall soon, but overall, this Laphroaig at cask strength with this unusually long fermentation is genuinely different and is worth it for any Islay whisky fan.

Did You Know!

Laphroaig’s typical fermentation time for its mash is 72 hours. Laphroaig Eements L2.0 release is topping out at 115 hours which is allowing the mash to take on these fruitier, very green apple flavour aromas. You will have seen a few distilleries, mainly newer ones running rather long fermentation times. Distilleries like Nc’nean, Ardnamurchan, Lochlea, and Balblair have these 90+ hour fermentations that will always provide greener, fruitier, and lighter styles of whisky. Be they peated or not.

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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