Tastes

Purchased this in Edinburgh. You can’t ask for a better start to a whisky experience - picking up a UK exclusive on the Royal Mile. The whisky is surprisingly similar to Lagavulin 16 and it is far more balanced and sophisticated than the Laphroaig 10 (which is a favourite of mine, so bold and brash). It is less peaty and less medicinal than the 10 and it drinks easier than the 48% abv. This is a very good Laphroaig. I would have this on the shelf all the time if I could get it in North America.

This single malt is priced as an entry level dram but it outperforms its price. My take is it is far better than the other big Glens - Glenlivet or Glenfiddich. It has an oily full mouthfeel with salty notes that are dominated by Wurthers Original type toffee or caramel. The highlight is the spicy, almost peppery, finish. Easy to drink and a good one to start a flight.

Received a sample of this dram at the friendship cairn at Laphroaig and then I had a second driver’s dram while sitting on the beach at Port Ellen. Tough to keep the experience from not automatically making this whisky a favourite for me but this one was my top pick on a day that I had three samples straight from the cask in Warehouse 1, Lore, the newest travel exclusive and this one. I have never had a chance to buy this one but I would highly recommend it. All of the best parts of the 10 amped up to another level.

Tested blind in colored glasses against the Grand Cru. I couldnt pick which one was older but I picked the Orchard as being slightly better and both had a nice fruity body with a long finish. It’s good and a much better value than the Cru.

Tested blind in colored glasses against the Orchard Experiment. I couldnt pick which one was older but I picked the Orchard as being slightly better and both had a nice fruity body with a long finish. Cru is good but it cannot justify it’s price.

So crushable. Easy to drink and a pretty decent Irish whiskey. Not complicated, just tasty and good.

Decent nose, peat is more like Spey Fumare than an Islay. Must be really young. There is nothing to back up the nose. Thin and flat. A pass.

Muted nose despite the high abv. Notes of cardboard but nothing interesting. Unfortunately, the abv hits really hot on the palate. This whisky must be young and trying to capture the cask strength market. It is bad, flat and hot. A definite pass.

Loght and fruity. Young with sour notes.

Light and fruity, feels young. Light bourbon finish, sour note. Not a buy for me..