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Laphroaig CS Batch 008

Cask Strength memories of Islay

0 592

@MaltActivistReview by @MaltActivist

21st Sep 2016

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Laphroaig CS Batch 008
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  • Overall
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Is this one of the greatest Islay whisky series ever? I'm inclined to think so.

I first came across this series when the Batch 003 caught my eye. I didn't know much about whiskies back then but I knew I liked cask strength whiskies and I liked Islay whiskies. And at 35GBP this one was a no-brainer.

Of course, once I opened the bottle and had my first sip I knew that I would have to own every single release from this series - past and future. Given the fact that I have mild OCD anything with a numbered batch meant I had to have the entire set.

Thus, began my journey of securing earlier releases and, like a hound, finding new ones and adding them to my collection. I was fortunate enough to grab the last few straight from the distillery. Believe me there's nothing like drinking this whisky straight from the bottle while sitting on the stone pier in front of Warehouse No. 1

Ah, nostalgia.

The CS series is matured in first-fill bourbon casks and bottled at natural strength. My sample is from a brand new bottle and served at a whopping 59.2%

Iodine. Lots of it. Red fruits. Moschino cherries. Red grapes. Liquorice. Fishnets. Sea salt flakes. Green tobacco leaf. Mint leaf. Dark cherry chocolate. Cardamom. Betel leaf. Toasted oak. Hint of spice. Very sweet nose which mellows out to a touch of savoury. Fantastic.

Boom! Big. Strong. Lots of bite. Strong oak. Jolts the taste buds. Lindt red chilli chocolate. The red grapes again. Fennel. Dries mid-palate. Sea salt. Ceylon black tea. With some water the iodine increases. Becomes even more dry. Prefer it without water, for sure.

Long. Oak. Cardamom. Spices. Green tea.

Well, what can I say. This one is an absolute corker. Love everything about it. Love it all the more for bringing back memories of Islay.

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5 comments

@Victor
Victor commented

@MaltActivist, thanks for your informative and enthusiastic review.

That is great news that the most recent batch of Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength is another solid performer.

In a time of high and rising prices, Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength remains one of the best values in the Scotch marketplace.

7 years ago 0

@Ol_Jas
Ol_Jas commented

Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength will save the world, I'm sure.

Malt Activist, since you've followed the whole series of numbered batches, what do you think about its development? Although it's my favorite bottle to buy and re-buy, I haven't gotten into batch-to-batch comparisons. Some who have, at least whom I've read, say that the series kinda "bottomed out" around batches 5 or 6, which were too oaky and sweet, and that since then it seems to be rebounding toward powerful dry peat. Does that match your take?

7 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

@OlJas I agree. Though not to the comment of "bottomed out" - I think it was a journey which started off sweet but then became this savory sooty smoky onslaught but is now embracing both those styles with this particular batch.

The 005, 006 & 007 were dry and sooty. The earlier batches somewhat sweeter. But this one I feel has the best of both worlds.

7 years ago 0

@Ol_Jas
Ol_Jas commented

Thanks, Malt Activist. No doubt I'll grab a #8 when they appear around me. (I just bought one from a big retailer whose shelves were overflowing with #7 and one last #6. I got the #7.)

It's almost TOO good for the money, isn't it? I think I've said this before, but as much as I love trying new stuff, the peaty little voice in the back of my mind always asks, "Is this random new bottle really a better use of your whisky money than just throwing another $60 at Laphroaig 10 CS?" It's hard to answer "yes" sometimes!

7 years ago 0

T
Taco commented

I started with batch 2, and went on to 3 and 4. I somehow never picked up 5 or 6, and apparently that was wise. The 007 is quite good and definitely worth the money, so if 8 is better, I'll be quite happy. Needs to be in all bars!

7 years ago 0

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