Laphroaig 10 yo Cask Strength Batch 003

 

 

 

55,3°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Seasoned and Charred Bourbon Barrels 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2011

Unchillfiltered, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

In 2009, Laphroaig decided to release an annual cask strength edition of its 10 Year Old. This Batch, bottled in January 2011, is the third and reputed to be one of the best.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

First of all, big smoky peat. Light vanilla, followed by bitumen and nails. Gravel, asphalt. Pastry cream mixed with fuel oil. Camphor, disinfectant. Dust, cigarette ash. Who knocked over the ashtray? Chlorine, iodine, and peat, which seems to crush everything in its path. Nice fullness after the addition of water. It becomes fruitier, with some juicy yellow plums. I feel like I'm tasting an ash cake. Like drowning in a pool of ash. At the same time, it's very sweet and quite well balanced. Gradually, the fruit takes over, white grapes, mirabelles, greengages, tending towards pineapple and Spanish melon. Then tar and gas oil return.
Very intense peat on the palate. A few vinous and honeyed hints, then the spices rise, chilli, clove. Surprisingly, I really do have the sensation of ash on my tongue. The rest is warm and malty. The finish is violent at first, then softer, very long, resinous, woody, young, fresh wood that has just been cut. An ounce of fruit to finish, but it's a little acidic. A slightly hard pear. Burnt wood.
 

In Short, 

This ultra-ashy and peaty whisky is a real uppercut. It lives up to its reputation, if you ask me. That said, it should be reserved for connoisseurs, as non-experts could be left traumatised. This is a product that should be sought out if you have the means and are passionate about it, but I would have appreciated a little more complexity.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Rowland S. Howard - Pop Crimes