Tastes

The 101 has come to play! With a higher proof than typical bourbon, and a high rye mash, this dram brings a strong and spicy punch. Wrestling through the initial blast, notes of brown sugar, vanilla, and cherry take center stage. This is not the easiest sip due to the wood and rye spice, however, once you step up to what this bourbon is throwing down, you will not be disappointed! And the lower cost for a bottle doesn’t hurt either

Comparing it to the 10 year, this expression has everything you want in a laphroaig if all of the middle notes were turned up. The traditional notes of salt, iodine, and brine are present. However, turned down to bring out more wood spice, pepper, oak, and peat smoke. The wood spice lingers and eventually gives way to a lingering saltiness. On the nose we find smoke and the salty sea. But upon further digging, hints of peanut and caramel, brown sugar and vanilla, as well as a touch of eucalyptus. Where as the 10 year old is spiked and punchy in flavor, this feels more reserved and complex. Not looking for a fight, but more of a conversation. Quite possibly, it ultimate expression of laphroaig. Any fan of Islay, would be remiss to not give this a try

Ardbeg does a lovely job of leaning toward peppery spice, Laphroaig prefers the salty and meaty side, this sits right in the middle! Smokey and salty, this Isla lets the barrel wood spice take center stage! On the nose, there is the usual Smokey affair one would expect from Isla, but beneath it we find hints of cherry, vanilla, iodine, cedar, and sea salt.

Very bold and Smokey, but a little heavy on the pepper and sharp almost acetone/ salty note. Felt more sharp, salty, and citric than hardy and meaty. Would prefer Laphroig for the next trip to the store