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Lp1 - Elements of Islay

They Blinded Me With Science

0 996

@talexanderReview by @talexander

11th Mar 2012

0

Lp1 - Elements of Islay
  • Nose
    24
  • Taste
    24
  • Finish
    23
  • Balance
    25
  • Overall
    96

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

You wouldn't think you would want a Laphroaig on a warm spring day like today - but since they are my personal favourite (so this review is biased!) I couldn't resist.

Elements of Islay is an independent bottling (from The Whisky Exchange) where they blend together casks (or use single casks - one never knows) from single distilleries (full strength, non coloured, non chill filtered), and market it like some kind of alcoholic chemistry experiment (even to the extent of being "signed off" by some expert; in the case of this bottle, by Charles Maclean). They even go so far as to have www.islay.com as their URL, like some kind of definitive statement on the island. Lp1 is their first (and so far only) Laphroaig expression.

The whisky coats the glass - you can see the high proof - and the colour is a deep yellow, no unlike, um...urine. The nose is a warm wave of peat reek, lemon, misty sea air, and licorice. Water brings out more citrus....ahhhh.

Then it is an explosion in the mouth, peat smoke of course but also chili oil, hay, and damp earth. Somehow it is both very light (honey?) yet strong (tobacco). Very medicinal but even richer with a little water.

Perfectly balanced. There is more peat in the mouth than on the nose, and a long, dying campfire finish that just makes you melt inside. The oily mouthcoating stays with you for days. More Laphroaigy than Laphroaig - and it's rare when the product itself surpasses the clever and creative marketing. I love love love it. Right now - my favourite whisky.

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9 comments

@Victor
Victor commented

A most tasty Laphroaig! Very bright. Thank you for a nice review and for sharing a sample from that 375 ml bottle.

12 years ago 0

@thecyclingyogi
thecyclingyogi commented

this one blew my mind, thanks for sharing @talexander. great review of a great whisky. easily one of the best islay malts i've had.

12 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

Sipping this while watching Fringe on a Friday evening. This is my favourite whisky of all time. I love this. Love. LOVE.

ps. I just noticed, @Victor, you referred to it as 375ml. It is 500ml.

12 years ago 0

@thecyclingyogi
thecyclingyogi commented

i'm also watching watching fringe, @talexander. regrettably, the whisky in my glass is not this one.....

12 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

@talexander, I am happy for you to hear that you have 125 ml more of the Lp1 than I had thought! (I saw Fringe last night too)

12 years ago 0

@SquidgyAsh
SquidgyAsh commented

awww I'm not seeing any more bottles of this one for sell on their site. This sounds like a real yummy dram!!

12 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor commented

I gotta say, though, @talexander, I don't like the look of those Elements of Islay bottles. I keep expecting to see gonads or dissected tumours floating around in those specimen jars.

12 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

@Victor - ha ha!! Marketing fail!

12 years ago 0

@PeatyZealot
PeatyZealot commented

Recently I sampled the Lp5 at a tasting and it was just braincookingly good. excellent and uncompromised Laphroaig. Is this a bit like the distillery cask strength botteling? I never had that one before

9 years ago 0