Laphroaig 10 Year Cask Strength (Batch 1)

This is the benchmark dram of most Islay malts. It's a lot different than Lagavulin 16 because it's not as earthy, and more peaty. This a higher ABV content, so it handles a couple drops better than most other pours. I enjoy the Laphroaig 10 better than the Ardbeg 10, because I am not a big fan of the lemon-lime zip.

It's Laphroiag, but more!

This whisky was purchased based on the recommendation of my esteemed colleague, @ScotchingHard . His review clearly asserted this product to be a weapon of mass destruction for peat delivery, and second only to humans in the “evolutionary” chain of miraculous creations. Well, I’m here to neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of these claims that he, himself, describes as “hyperbolic,” but only to offer, maybe, a somewhat more reasoned perspective to the situation. It didn’t require a twist of the arm to spring for the batch 8, 59.9% offering, since Laphroaig 10 is my second favorite go-to dram behind Lagavulin 16; but while standing in line to pay I thought, “Gee, won’t this just be a more robust version of the watered-down 10 year old that I already own and like?” And, secondly, I pondered, “Isn’t my wife going to beat the shit out of me after she sees how much money I’ve blown on whisky this month?” So, with mixed feelings and after careful consideration, I took one last look at the bottle and decided to………………….just pay for the damn thing. While driving home I rationalized, “Ok, I paid 50% more for the same product with 40% more alcohol (buzz factor…check). Now, if I can get 20-30% more smoke I win.” So, with all of the aforementioned in mind, I’m here to report the cask strength, 10 year old Laphroaig to be a fantastic dram and proportionally better than its little brother; however, still not the holy grail of peat smoke I continue to seek. I rate it a solid 4.25 stars.

Laphroaig 10 is the end of scotch evolution. You want to introduce a timid Jack and Coke guy to the world of single malts? Maybe you start with a nice blended like Dewars, move into some real juice like Glenfiddich, get a touch of complexity and inkling of peat with Highland Park, get some real peat with Lagavulin, and then at last Laphroaig is the beast at the edge of the world. There is nothing after that. If you don’t believe me, put Laphroaig 10 cask strength side by side with an Octomore. Phenol level schmenol level, the only smoke you are smelling is the burnt bandaid notes of Laphroaig. I have previously tried Batch 5 at 57.2% ABV, and now have 3 bottles of Batch 8 at 59.9% purchased at $67 each. This is stronger and better. Rather than go into notes, I’ll just tell you about my favorite experience at a bar in Maryland with my wife, after which I decided to purchase 3 bottles of batch 8. MY POOR WIFE: So, we each have our own whisky. I knew I would like my CS, but it was even better than expected, and I made the perhaps hyperbolic statement, “This is the best shit I’ve ever tasted.” She wanted to try it, and I warned her she wouldn’t like it. She went for a sip, and her whole drinking night was ruined. She was on smoke street, and couldn’t taste her soft flower of a whisky anymore. POOR BALVENIE 21 YR PORT WOOD: This was a $30 pour that my wife could no longer enjoy, and so it was mine. How did it hold up after Laphroaig 10 CS? I thought it lacked complexity and lacked a spine. Several months later, I would try the Balvenie 12 double wood, on a cleansed palate, and thought it was so much better than the 21 year old. Terrible comparison, I know, but sorry Balvenie, I won’t be spending $200 on your 21 year old. POOR LAPHROAIG 10 YR STANDARD BOTTLING: I have not bought a bottle for years. It’s on sale now for $39, and I skip it every time. Add enough water to the CS - it can take a lot - and you can turn down the alcohol intensity to levels comparable to the standard 10, but you get a wonderful basket of tropical fruits and smoked fish as the CS opens up. POOR TASTEBUDS: Try this neat, and you will taste nothing except ash for a while. POOR PREGNANT LADY BESIDE YOU: you should not have this inside within 10 feet of a pregnant woman. Secondhand smoke is bad for the fetus, you know. In fact, best not drink this indoors at all. MARK: 95/100.

Seven Grand Whiskey Society w/ Dan, 7/15/16 Way too smoky/peaty for me!