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Laphroaig 10 YO Sherry Oak Finish

Smoked Cherries

8 688

@RianCReview by @RianC

17th May 2022

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  • Nose
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  • Taste
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  • Finish
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  • Balance
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  • Overall
    88

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An OB 10 year old from Laphroaig finished in 'sherry oak'. I think it is also not chill-filtered and without e150a - a cause for celebration, some might say. I'll admit to being more in the Ardbeg camp than the 'laffy one but the 10 CS has made me question where my loyalties lie, ha!

Bottle has been open a couple of months, two-thirds left and this pour is neat. Worth noting the colour too, a gorgeous rose tipped bronze that I hope is all natural.

Nose - Ahhh! Very, very nice, it must be said - medicinal notes of plasters and TCP mingle with bright sherry and smoked red fruits. A little tarry note as well, and I love the way the peat feels like it singes one's nose hairs when you go for a long dive. Not overly complex but engaging nonetheless.

Taste - quite a light mouth-feel, surprisingly, with ash, more TCP, smoked cherries and strawberries (if only, right? Or maybe not?) and a little red liquorice.

Finish - Med. Ash, smoke, more peat and a little sweet syrup hang in there with some light tannins that add a nice dryness. Mainly smoke and ash though.

I feel zero need to add water so I'm not gonna (blows raspberries a la Monty Python and the Holy Grail).

This is a funny one to score as I really enjoy it and, if I switch my analytical brain off (What? You have one of those, really?) it is hard to find a fault. Go digging though and I can't help sensing that the finish applied here is just that - it's like the sweeter notes are kind of tacked on, rather than being fully integrated as they were in, say, the Port Charlotte Meteorite I was very lucky to sample (although there are similarities, for sure). I suspect 'laffy purists may balk at this 'intrusion'. Still, a minor quibble and I'm glad I picked up another. A big improvement on the standard 10 too!

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6 comments

@OdysseusUnbound
OdysseusUnbound commented

I wonder how much the higher abv contributes to the “improvement” over the standard 10… I was fortunate to snag a bottle when it landed in Ontario. Mine remains unopened atm as I’ve sampled it a few times before. I think your assessment is pretty spot on.

about one year ago 2Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

@OdysseusUnbound - Well the 10 CS certainly packs a wallop - 40% is just not enough to carry the flavours of such a malt. I think the sherry adds a nice sweetness too though and it makes me consider getting a Lore as I like this style. I think you're a fan of the Lord -how does that compare with this 10?

about one year ago 1Who liked this?

@RianC
RianC commented

DP

about one year ago 0

@OdysseusUnbound
OdysseusUnbound commented

@RianC Well we get the bog standard 10 at 43% abv here in Ontario, so that's a bit of good fortune for us, but the CS version is obviously more representative of what Laphroaig should be; bold and unapologetic. I haven't opened my bottle of Lore yet, but I have enjoyed samples of it provided by a few good friends. Despite it's mixed reputation, I think Lore is an excellent whisky. I put it on par with Ardbeg Uigeadail. Of course which one is "better" is a matter of opinion and a matter of which batch one is tasting in both cases.

about one year ago 1Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@OdysseusUnbound which one is better, I suspect, is the one in your glass at the time...

about one year ago 3Who liked this?

@casualtorture
casualtorture commented

Love seeing a Monty Python reference! Might have to find me one of these, sounds pretty good.

about one year ago 1Who liked this?

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