Laphroaig Elements L 1.0

 

 

 

58,6°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

Ex-Bourbon Casks 

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2023

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Peated around 43 ppm

 

 

 

This new Elements series, which this L1.0 inaugurates here, will satisfy the distillery team's desire to experiment. With this one, if the maturation is quite simple, in Bourbon casks, an old mash tun has been used, with a volume of 8.5 tonnes, whereas the two mash tun commonly used in the distillery have a content of 5.5 tonnes. Apparently, this old mash tun was used in the 1990s. What's more, the wort used here, while normally only semi-cloudy, is fully cloudy at 50%. The fermentation time remains unchanged at 55 hours, but was personally supervised by Distillery Manager Barry MacAffer. The result attracts the curiosity of any self-respecting Laphroaig fan, especially as the design of the bottle has been worked on to illustrate the distillery's expansion plans at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the next.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The nose is really well done, the smoke is there but it's smoother, it's mainly vegetal, angelica, roasted hazelnuts, a full ashtray in the background, very discreet medicinal notes, ether, but also a few drops of grapefruit, pan-seared papaya, prickly pear, oily vanilla, mineral salts at the end. Well-balanced on the palate, coconut milk, a thick layer of smoke that crushes on the tongue, oven-fried white fruit, spices that are not too strong, ginger, cloves. The finish is well crafted, not too violent, elegant oak, tinder, coal nuggets, chestnuts, custard.

In Short, 

Indeed, it's really original for a Laphroaig. Much smoother and more balanced than usual, a bit old school. It should appeal to fans of the last century. But on the whole, it doesn't deserve its price tag. The downside is that it lacks a bit of character and depth, it's a bit too smooth. What's more, the fact that it's not aged is disappointing. At this price, it needs at least a vintage.

Score : 89

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

                                           My Own Private Alaska - Just Like You and I