Laphroaig Quarter Cask

This is from a bottle I bought and opened at the end of March in 2011. I have tasted it with notes on six occasions (92, 89, 89, 88, 89, 85). I really think Laphroaig and Ardbeg are best - for me - when they are freshly opened. Young peat monsters have the most punch and power straight out of the gate. This bottle fell off in a bad way at the end of 2 years. The first score of 92 was taken a month and a half after the bottle was opened. The second score of 89 was taken two months after that. The bottle held steady for the next two years . . . well, almost. At the end it got too bitter. Final average will be 89.

Nose: Sweet peat and vanilla on the fore with campfire smoke in the background. There is a peat bonfire happening here with smoke and oak. Sweet malt sets the primary foundation for hints of pine, mint, grass, coconut, and honey crisp apple to pop in and around smoke and peat. Not a thing bitter or off here.

Taste: Vanilla on the fore with sea salt, seaweed, caramel, toffee, and peat on the back. After two years a noticeable bitter note . . .

Finish: Huge blast of peat with almost no warning. It is just like you stepped into the path of an ocean breaker. It is a big wave with huge white caps. Tons of peat and smoke follow this huge sea spray. It is a long finish with large peat embers burning brightly all the way. There is still vanilla and charred wood . . . there might have been a hint of bitter oak . . . or maybe not. On second tasting I will leave the bitter notes to the taste alone.

Balance, Complexity: Very nice balance of peat and smoke, salt and sweet. I have to give it points for complexity on all levels. This has a ton going on with nothing really towering over anything else. The Quarter Cask does a fantastic job of balancing the huge peat and smoke of Laphroaig with sweet vanilla. However, it is aggressive and in your face while also being balanced at 48% (Just not as aggressive as the 10yo CS - which I love).

Aesthetic experience: Golden honey amber. Full bodied scotch. There are days where I LOVE Laphroaig simply because it has the Prince of Wales crest at the top of the label. Granted, I like the 10 yo and the Cask Strength labels better then this one. It almost seems a bit cheesy with the cartoon drawn ¼ size barrel next to a full sized barrel. Yes, I get it: you are trying to show people why it is called “quarter cask.” But I just don’t like the drawing. I will be interested to see the new style of this bottle. Yes this is the score that keeps this bottle from regularly going over the 90 point mark (it is only my opinion)

Conclusion: This was a created dram. It was designed to deliver a specific flavor profile. And I think it might be one of my favorite “designed” whiskies out there. What I mean is that they took young Laphroaig and put it in small Quarter Casks specifically to get more wood involvement. Then they specifically bottled it at 48% . . . and it does an amazing balancing act of power and calm; vanilla and bitter; peat and smoke at this age and ABV. And further, this bottling has been very consistent since it was released. This is a NAS ideal – consistent quality at a reasonable price.

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