Laphroaig Lore

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay 

Ex-Laphroaig Barrels, Sherry and Bourbon Quarter Casks

Original Bottling 

Core Range 

Single Malt 

Launched in 2016

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

Launched in 2016 as the exclusive work of John Campbell, Laphroaig's Master Blender at the time, Lore is a blend of rather young juices for potency, and aged stuff (over 20 years it seems) for subtlety. They used Sherry casks, but also Bourbon Quarter Casks, which allow faster maturation. And the original thing is that Laphroaig Whisky barrels have been reused too, certainly in order to intensify the distillery' profile. In any case, this expression seems to have a certain success and it is now firmly established in the constellation of the distillery.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

Straight away, I recognise the distillery's typical profile, with a beautiful fullness and impressive power, iron peat, slightly rusty metal, nails, tyres, fuel oil, camphor, bandages, betadine, not forgetting iodine and sea spray, tide, kelp and not-so-young seaweed, it's all there. And it's beautifully balanced. There's also a lovely fruity richness, not easy to distinguish in the midst of this jumble, but bananas, plums, Belle-Hélène pears, with plenty of whipped cream. The palate is in the same vein, very medicinal, a little herbaceous, fruity, with relatively well-managed spices, pepper, cumin, nutmeg. The finish is long and sparkling, powerful but not overwhelming, with cola, coffee, green tea, basil and parsley. And also coal and gas oil in the background.

 

In Short, 

For me, it's a great success. We have a product that is totally emblematic of the distillery, with its own personality, much less harsh or aggressive than the 10 Year Old Cask Strength, more complex, but less drowned in sherry than the the 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish, more typical than the Càirdeas. I think it strikes the right balance between typicality and originality. What's more, the price is just right, provided you buy it via their website of course. It's rare enough to be noticed. What, you haven't got any yet?

Score : 89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           Shaka Ponk - Palabra Mi Amor