Category Archives: Laphroaig

A World of Discovery, Cold Winter, Laphroaig, Rosebank, Summertime

A couple of SMWS single cask bottlings (and they could not be more opposite from one another)

Back in March I had the good opportunity to attend the Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza in NYC.  You might remember that post.  If not, here it is.  It was a fantastic event and I plan on attending two of the Fall Events: one in Boston, one in Chicago.  Details on the Single Malt & Scotch Whisky Extravaganza Fall schedule to follow in the coming months.

The good folks at the SMWSA were kind enough to give me some samples of the whiskies they were pouring at the NYC event for review.  So, before I get to the actual reviews, I’ve got to say thank you to Aron S for the samples!

Today I’m reviewing sherried Laphroaig peat monster and a light little ditty from Rosebank.  Why am I reviewing two completely different whiskies in the same post?  Well, it is MY blog after all.  “I do what I want!”

Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, on to the review…

SMWS 29.88 – Laphroaig – Ex-Sherry 9yo 60.9% ABV

On the nose — It’s very easy to get caught up in the soot and ashes that are all over this nose…

However, getting past that, I found some great bread pudding notes.

After that it’s gets very sea-like…

with loads of fresh caught fish.

Nori wrapped brisket and olive brine.

Rusty pipe water.

On the mouth — Rusted iron frying pans soaking in a low-tide pool of sea water which is filled with flint stones and dying crabs, cracked shells and all.

I like this… sort of.

Honied ham sandwich slices and old brown lemons.

It all sound a bit too odd but, in context, it quite nice.

Chicoried coffee (like Luizzianne).

Salted caramels and chocolate covered toffee.

Finish — Full of coffee, chocolate and overcooked prunes.

A tad nutty as well.

All in all, it’s got a decent length.

In sum — Very much a whisky for specific moods.  I liken this one to a drink one should drink when they’re ‘pissed the *BLEEP* off’.  (to use the parlance of our times…).  A really, really odd duck but one that I imagine you’d like if you’re a fan of the Ardbeg Uggy.  Very complex and crazy stuff.

SMWS 25.55 – Rosebank – Ex-Bourbon 19yo 60.8% ABV

On the nose — A lightly fruited nose (think pear & pineapple) with hints of herbal teas.

White pepper and even some notes of sweet hay.

Milk chocolate and a touch of light caramel (nice notes I often find in Rosebanks).

Back to the fruits now (the same as before).

What amazes me is how easily, at 60.8%ABV, this one can be nosed.

You’d think this is a low ABV whisky.

Rose pedals and sugared & honeyed chamomile.

On the mouth –– Bright, effervescent and loaded with lemon fizz candies, over-sugared apple sauce.

Lemon, lemon, lemon, lemon, lemons.

Did I mention lemons?

How about… Lemons?

Oh, wait….Lemons?

More white pepper and now some white bread toast.

Finish — Juicyfruit gum (like, dead on!), more white pepper and sugarcane.

Lasting peppery finish.

In sum — A very one sided whisky but one that is so easily consumed.  Perfect as an aperitif, a mid day pick-me-up or a late summer relaxer.

Ardbeg, Arran, Balvenie, Bowmore, Field Trip!, Glenglassaugh, Glenmorangie, Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Talisker

The Jewish Single Malt Whisky Society hosts a VIP distillery tour of Scotland (August 12 – 19, 2011) with a Jewish twist!

Have you ever wanted to do a whisky tour of Scotland?  A VIP whisky tour of Scotland?  Perhaps (if you’re Jewish) you wanted to experience Shabbat in Scotland and maybe do kiddush over a fine single malt.  Well, this tour is for you!

Here are the details at a glance (As of May 23rd, 2011, there are only 2 seats left):

Fly into Glasgow on August 12th for an 8 day Whisky tour of Scotland with a Jewish Twist.
VIP tours and stops at the following distilleries:
  • Arran
  • Ardbeg
  • Balvenie
  • Bowmore
  • Glenglassaugh
  • Glenmorangie
  • Lagavulin
  • Laphroaig (this is not a tour but a stop at the shop & distillery)
  • Talisker
  • Plus many more surprises!

What the JSMWS will take care of:

  • Accommodation for 8 nights
  • Breakfast each morning
  • All the driving
  • Shabbatot in Glasgow at the reform synagogue (though you’re more than welcome, if you’re not Jewish and prefer not to attend services, we understand)
  • Ferry to/from Arran & Islay
  • VIP tours of several whisky distilleries (as listed above)
  • Kosher requirements
  • The entire whisky experience

All you have to take care of:

  • Flights to/from Glasgow
  • Lunch & evening meals
  • Personal purchases
  • Having a wonderful time

This 8-person, 7 day (or 8 days if you choose to stay for the Glenrothes tour which was recently added to the agenda yet not on the PDF brochure linked here and below).  Whisky tour of Scotland costs $2500 per person and is based on two people sharing accommodation.  As of May 23rd, 2011, there are only 2 seats left.

Click the image below for a more detailed brochure.


Double Barrel, Laphroaig, Macallan

Double Barrel vatting of Macallan & Laphroaig

A vatting of Macallan & Laphroaig – aged 8 years – 46% ABV – $80 – $100 | £40 |€45

This is going to be an interesting experiment for sure.  Mixing anything with Laphroaig is a gutsy move.  Laphroaig has such a strong personality!  The Macallan does as well but you usually find the strength in their sherried expressions.  Judging by the color (like a light white wine, say… a riesling), I’d say there is no sherry influence whatsoever.

I think the point of these whiskies is to give the consumer an idea of what two great whiskies can do for and with one another.  My approach, especially with this expression is — which whisky wins!?  Sort of a last dram standing approach.

Let’s see what we get…

On the nose – A very Laphroaigian nose – pungent peat smoke.

Very forward notes of seaweed and bacon (like walking into a Greek diner on a Sunday morning).

Mustard seed.

Some dried fruits…

Apricots & mangos.

Where’s the Macallan in all of this?

Hints, mere hints, of caramel.

On the mouth – That seaweed note I got on the nose is transformed into sea water/brine.

The mouth feel is very nice, oily with a bit ‘o chew to it.

Everything after this gets quiet (understated).

Little notes of honey, vanilla, caramel and even some nuttiness.

The forwardness of the nose is gone completely and from what I can guess here is that these more Macallian notes on the palate are just being over powered by the pungentosity (hello new word!) of the Laphroaig.

Finish – Laphroaig is surely the winner here.

Smoke remains aboard the tongue of the USS Hatton (that’s me, folks) as do the briny/seaweedy notes.

In sum – After tasting this whisky I decided to search out what other people thought of it and I was struck by the notes that Whisky For Everyone had.  We’re on the same page when it comes tho this whisky.  With how strong the Laphroaig is this expression, I would suggest this as a cold evening dram.  Bundle up, drink more, stay warm!

Special thanks goes out to Aron of the SMWSA for the sample!

Field Trip!, Laphroaig

Laphroaig Live!! (from Jerez)

It’s amazing what comes across my desk here at the JSMWS headquarters.  This is a very cool Laphroaig event happening online – one you shouldn’t miss (sadly, I will be working a trade show so I’ll HAVE to miss this).

A Taste of Scotland with a flavour of Spain
Discover what south western Spain and the remote Scottish island of Islay
have in common with a tasting broadcast live and interactive from Jerez

Show date: Thursday 23rd September

Show time: 8pm Central European Time (7pm UK)

While a hearty Rioja or a glass of sangria are the typical accompaniment to tapas, a Scottish whisky imparted with the flavour of locally-produced sherry offers a more sophisticated solution.

Whisky-lovers are more than familiar with the distinctive taste of Laphroaig, and by introducing Laphroaig to sherry barrels for maturation, a uniquely rich flavour and hue is added to the whisky, delivering an unmistakable taste of Laphroaig with characteristics of the sherry.

It’s a subtle and rewarding combination for the consumer, but still a relatively rare one as industry estimates suggest less than 7% of whisky is matured in sherry casks, compared to bourbon casks.

It’s this rarity which makes the latest Laphroaig Live production such a must-see show. Following the successes of the first-ever live online whisky tasting in 2007, followed by live shows from the distillery on Islay, and then the Maker’s Mark distillery in 2009, this year the Laphroaig team comes live from the sherry bodegas of Jerez.

While Laphroaig whisky boasts a rich 200-year-old heritage, the Jerez region has been producing wine since 1100BC, and fortified wine – sherry – since at least the 13th century, with many believing production began even earlier.

Located in the south west of Spain, Jerez continues to produce sherry for export around the globe. In all there are more than 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of vineyards in the region and sherry is produced in a variety of styles, ranging from dry, light versions such as Finos to darker heavier versions known as Olorosos, made from the Palomino grape – with sweet dessert wines also being made from Pedro Ximenez or Moscatel grapes.

Broadcasting live from the Harvey’s bodegas, this interactive tasting experience will offer a further insight into the ‘marriage’ between the sherried oaky flavours from the oloroso sherry casks and the sweet flavours from the ex American Oak Bourbon barrels used in the creation of some of Laphroaig’s expressions.

We will be offering a unique insight into this maturation process by comparing Bourbon cask matured Laphroaig with sherry matured Laphroaig to assess how the flavours of the wooden barrels help create the distinctive taste of the expression.

We will also be pairing a selection with authentic Spanish tapas to bring out the rich and creamy flavours and smoky notes that punctuate the individuality of Laphroaig. For those whose palate seeks a more traditional style, Quarter Cask will also be tasted to highlight the effect of different maturation styles.

John Campbell, Jose Antonio Sauto, Diego Sandrin and Simon Brooking join us live online at www.laphroaig.com/live to take part in this live tasting session on Thursday 23rd September 2010 at 8pm CET (7pm UK)

A World of Discovery, All You Need Is Love, Autumn, Laphroaig, Springtime

Laphroaig 30yr – a goddess of a dram!

Islay region – 43%ABV – 750ml bottle – $220-750 (holy spread!!) and up | £350 | €459

In case you haven’t guessed, I’m Jewish.  I am a kosher keeping (mostly “kosher by nature” seeing as I’m a vegetarian), whisky drinking, rock-n-roll playing, cigar smoking Jew.  A proud one at that.  Additionally, I keep Kosher for Passover which means I do not eat leavened bread during this eight day holiday.  Nor do I drink beer, eat waffles, pancakes or, drink whisk(e)y.

As much as I’ll miss whisk(e)y (starting on Monday and ending the day before WhiskyLive in NYC), it makes me feel quite good to not drink the stuff and it gives me that chance to experience more Wines, Tequilas and maybe Mead (if I can find a “K” for “P” Mead).

This being said, over the next few days, until Passover, I will be reviewing some of the more top-shelf  drams I have (or have samples of).  During Passover (or Pesach, using the Hebrew word for the holiday), I will be tasting & reviewing some of the aforementioned non-whisk(e)y adult beverages.

So, here’s the the first in 3 top shelf whisky reviews.  The Laphroaig 30yr.  A special thank you goes out to the Scotch Hobbyist again for the sample trade!

On the nose — Meaty & musty though quite fruity, Necco wafers, chalky & waxy, nutmeg, mustard seeds, sea salt, I am smelling antiquity and not sure I am mature enough for this stuff – I sort of feel like a 5th grader that has a crush on his English teacher (I had a big crush on my 5th grade English teacher.  We called her Mrs. Huge Tits because it rhymed with her real last name and she was well endowed toward her upper chest area… if you catch my drift), dried spices and bay leaf – there’s a ton here!  Wow, the bay leaf is quite prominent after the 3rd whiff

Palate — Chocolatey and a good amount of pepper – very spicy (not black pepper spicy, more like hot pepper spice), soup, stewy and salty, slight smoldering, clementines, extremely mature and delicate peat, pungent, soy sauce & veggie dumplings – I am most happy right now.  This is my kind of peat!!  Mature & sexy.

Finish — Medium long, salty and a bit spicy (think soy sauce and ginger on a nice sushi roll).

In sum — I can see why this is a coveted dram.  The balance & profile is near perfect.  This is oh, so special.  I am no expert.  I’m only 3 years into this whisky tasting business and even I can see that there is something quite amazing here.  If I had a full bottle of this stuff and my house were burning down, I’d run back in to save my wife & kids, grab my cats and this bottle.  This is a desert island dram and I am very happy to be tasting this on a special night such as this — Shabbat!