Laphroaig PX Cask

Laphroaig distillery (the name means "the beautiful hollow by the broad bay") was established in 1815, by Alex and Donald Johnston. It was sold to Long John International in the 1960ies and subsequently became part of Allied Domecq. Today the distillery is owned by the American spirits company Beam Inc. and therefore, now, ultimately by Suntory. ‘PX Cask’ was released in 2012 and is an exclusive travel retail expression. Just like the ‘Triple Wood’ it has enjoyed a triple maturation in three types of cask: the first maturation is in ex-bourbon barrels, the second one in quarter casks, followed by the final maturation in large European oak ‘PX’ casks that originally contained Pedro Ximénez sherry.

The nose is rich and smoky. Distinct vanilla flavours go together with lemon biscuit and raisins. Next there follow hints of oranges and rubber (in a good way). All in all the smoke is quite soft and decent, and medicinal flavours are all but absent.

The palate is full-bodied and a tad spicy. Vanilla and oranges take center stage, accompanied by subdued smoke. There is also a touch of tobacco and some leather, quite noble really. Tarry and sweet at the same time, this is a rather luscious palate.

The finish is long and warming, both sweet and nicely smoky. Towards the end it gets more and more peppery.

This was an astonishingly yummy Laphroaig! While there was hardly any medicinal influence, very soft smoke was omnipresent, and both nose and palate were pleasantly sweet. It might be an unusual Laphroaig, but it certainly worked for me, although with this type of cask management I prefer the ‘Triple Wood’.

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