Laphroaig Four Oak

Not as good as 10. Tastes less well aged, rougher despite being 6% lower proof. Still, its good, love the peat. Doesnt have the same bacon flavor as the 10, with a sort of strange taste lingering on the tongue.

** Disclaimer: This review is what I would consider a “Quick Hit”- meaning I won’t have my usual in-depth notes that I usually like to take. The reason: this sample was poured at Whiskyfest DC on 4/17/18. All of these reviews will not be scored and I am actively looking to try them again at some point to do them more justice. Oh, Laphroaig. I usually love you so much. This was also a special malt that wasn’t listed initially on the tasting list for the festival. This one is a travel retail exclusive and I actually purchased a bottle from a European online store a couple of months ago but haven’t gotten around to opening. It suffers from exactly the things I suspected would hurt it- too much oak cask influence while being pretty dry for a Laphroaig. The typical smokiness and oily mouthfeel weren’t present. I’ll open my personal bottle soon and run it through its paces, but this one didn’t really knock my socks off at the festival. On a side note (and a bit of a rant): I want to give Laphroaig my “Punk Bitches of Whiskyfest Award” for promising pours of the 25, 30 and new Cairdeas and not delivering them. The Laphroaig rep simply said they couldn’t get the bottles in time for the festival, even though they announced them over a month ago. Also, there are several vintages of the 25 and the 30 has been out for almost 2 years- don’t tell me you couldn’t find them. I saw the 30yo in both stores we visited hours before the festival. If you can’t get the new Cairdeas (I somewhat understand)- then bring an old one. C’mon, guys. When 2 of my Top 3 whiskies didn’t show it started the night off on a bad foot for me. It made the 27yo Laphroaig a bittersweet tasting, as well. More on that one a little later. Laphroaig gets my SHAME, SHAME, SHAME vote and should have to make The Walk of Atonement...