Ardbeg 10 / Laphroaig Quarter Cask

I don't have a bottle of the Ardbeg 10 year old at hand to do a comparison but I would wager that it has slightly more pronounced vanilla notes but also slightly more herbal than Laphroaig QC.

@cclward I agree with Monty and I would add that I find the Ardbeg 10 sweeter and smoother in the finish. I know the QC has had a lot of good press, but I prefer the Ardbeg.

I also agree with @Monty that the vanilla notes are quite pronounced in the Ardbeg 10, and the smoke seems to me to be different enough (though I'd need to sit down and make a direct comparison to put my finger on it). Amusingly enough, some people are quite sure there are important differences between them: whiskywhiskywhisky.com/forum/viewtopic.php/…

Interesting , Thanks guys

I am going to try this again to look for the vanilla / herbal notes and differences in the smoke composition. I prefer the Ardbeg just because it is harder to find. I plan on picking up a bottle of A 10 in Nova Scotia next week. Its $ 78 Canadian there as opposed to $ 99 in Ontario.

I am tempted to just go for the Lagavulin 16 at $ 93 a bottle just because I am afraid its going to jump in price again. About 5 years back it was half that price but very scarce. I think they were limited in production for about a year.

@cclward and others, while I don't have my bottles with me tonight, I definitely find Ardbeg10 and LaphQC quite different ... and I have a strong affection for both. Ard10 is highly distinctive in that it has a unique seawead and salty character, which was love at first sniff. LaphQC has the Laphroaig type of smoke and is beautifully balanced and complex. I really do not find significant similarities.

Just in case ... remember to taste without eating ... best before a meal. Sometimes I have an off day where nothing tasts right ... so best to taste and compare several times on different days (or weeks).

Let us know how your future tastings go ... Cheers !

A couple nights ago , Sat down with the two once again, Took a deep breath and concentrated on these whiskies

There are remarkabble differences I do get the herbal notes in the Ardbeg with a softer mouth feel, sweet, smoky like a dolup of liquorice. Its complex. I could not find the vanilla

I Found the QC more industrial in a good way, like a iron, mineral, sandstone. Its smoke is different but a mixture of salt and sweetness that is unique

I was definately not paying attention the first attempt but an important lession to slow down and appreciate the whisky

Ardbeg 10 over QC by just a slight margin. Both will always remain in my cabinet as long as they are available

Thanks for all the comments

Can't go wrong with either one anyway ....

I love Laphroaig, but not a fan of Quarter Cask (not anything wrong with it; just not my favorite Laphroaig, nor is the Cask Strength). I prefer the 10, 15 (sadly, no longer available) and the 18 year. Between Quarter Cask and Ardbeg 10, I prefer Ardbeg 10. Having said that, I haven't tasted them side by side, so others on this thread have inspired me to do just that. I'm always willing to do more research. :-)

Two of my cabinet drams! Laphroaig Quarter Cask is a massive hit when friends come over that drink whisky for the first time. It has more of a woodbite than Ardbeg 10. The Ardbeg 10 has more typical Islay- salty-fishy-smoky-peat to it. It has the typical Arbeg layering .

Both are indeed fine drams, but my preference leans towards the Ardbeg 10 Year. There's a sweeter--almost citrus--note to this whisky and the Quarter Cask's sweet note is closer to honeyed barley. I guess the citrus wins my palette for most evenings, but variety is rather nice : )

Okay, so the both have been my "evening samplers" (makes me feel better about myself) lately. The interesting thing is I have gone back an forth on both regarding which is my "favorite", but they never tasted the same by a stretch. Ardbeg; gasoline to start, moves lightly sweet and quite honestly, beautiful light sugar desert - think honeysuckle. Quarter Cask, rich sweet, moves heavy and citrus like a candy coated apple. But my taste/preference leans towards Arbeg. It's just more subtle and pretty and less contrived.

Please let me know if this is BS or if you agree. Either way.