Laphroaig QC = Ardbeg ?

My taste buds don't find anything in the Ardbeg lineup that resembles Laphroaig Quarter Cask. I haven't had Uigeadail for several years, but--other than peat smoke--I don't recall finding similarities to QC or Lagavulin 16. Flavor-wise, of the three I would pick QC every time. It's no secret that I simply don't "get" the hype about Lagavulin 16.

@two-bit-cowboy thanks for the fast reply and I really wasn't sure if I was reaching with the lagavulin or Uigeadail comparison. Apparently I was...oops. I just was very curious if anyone found similarities between any Ardbeg and QC but for me I don't see anything beating the QC.

Well, personally I prefer Ardbeg to the good old QC, though I still love the QC all the same.

Heck, I even prefer the Ardbeg 10 to the QC. But everyone's different, of course.

I find Laphroaig a beast unto itself. It no more resembles Ardbeg than Lagavulin. I find Laphroaig to be much more briny, and medicinal than either of the lesser malts. Yes, lesser. Laphroaig perches high atop the Islay cliffs for me. It is unique. As Ardbeg is unique, as Lagavulin is unique.

To answer your question, I would say Galileo or Uggie. But why pay all the extra money? I recommend the Triple Wood (roughly same price as the QC) or the 18YO (80?) . OR, the cask strength 10 if you are man enough. I am not. It slays me.

I am almost in complete agreement with @Onibubba here. However I personally don't feel either Ardbeg or Lagavulin are lesser, just different. And I would strongly recommend getting a bottle of the Laphroaig 18 at some point. A great whisky that deserves to be tried at least once!

Try Port Charlotte The Peat Project. It's profile is similar to QC, the same aromatic peat

Ten is the answer. Laphroaig QC is like Ardbeg Ten. They are both vanilla and peat. I prefer the Ardbeg, but as we see many prefer the 'phroaig. Time to go find out which camp you're in!

As has been said Uigeadail is nothing like either of those. Lagavulin is NOT sherried. Lagavulin is weak and terrible in comparison to Uigeadail. Yes, terrible.

@Max Personally I'd say the similarity between the QC and Peat Project is rather vague... I'd call it more of a continuation of a theme rather than an outright similarity. But hey, that's just me.

Thanks everyone for the honest opinions about my naive post. I really have loved my explorations into more refined single malts and more specifically islay malts. It is outstanding to have a resource like Connosr to receive incredibly knowledgeable feedback from great people. Rather then bash me like would happen on many forums for my silly question. Everyone here educated me about the errors of my ways and now I'm more encouraged than ever to try Uigeadail and other malts listed on the post. Thanks everyone for being outstandingly helpful!

Just for the record @Nolinske, I don't think there was anything at all wrong with your question! I'm sure everyone else would agree. We are ALL learning on this journey brother!

I didn't think it was a bad question either.

But yeah — the lack of snobbery I find around here is highly refreshing, not to mention laudable. It's all about the whisky. :D

@Nolinske: It is probably worth noting that Laphroaig uses the coloring agent E150a, which is difficult for me to understand given the excellence of their product.

@A'bunadhman They do? I had no idea.

As much as I disagree with the principle of using a caramel colouring agent, I have heard from more than one expert that it doesn't really affect the taste. I take it you disagree, though?

@HeartlessNinny

Think E150 doesn't matter? maltmaniacs.net/2013/03/…

@valuewhisky great study I enjoyed the read! Very informative. It seems there is a middle ground between the purists who say coloring ruins whiskey and the marketing people who say it has no flavor. It seems to ever so slightly effect the whiskies in a way that only more refined palates can discern. That said I wish they wouldn't do it but I'm not a fool to think they will stop anytime soon.