Laphroaig Lore

Bottled in 2017 It took me a long time to try this. I was troubled by the thought that the supposed spiritual successor of Laphroaig 18 year old, one of my favorite whiskies, had no age statement, and the suspicious claim that it is “the richest ever Laphroaig!” I just thought, oh dear, Laphroaig 18 never tried to be the richest. I was fearful this “Lore” would be an amateur PX finish. My first impression of this whisky was that, I’ll be damned, it reminds me of Laphroaig 18. Medicinal smoke with an oily mouthfeel and grapefruit-flavored candies. And then I had it alongside Laphroaig 18, and it was a big disappointment. It’s was like that classic Katt Williams skit about how your Chrysler 300 looks sort of like a Bentley Phantom, until you pull up next to a Bentley Phantom. Laphroaig Lore is not Laphroaig 18. It reminded me of Laphroaig 18 because I had forgotten how awesome Laphroaig 18 was. And then I compared Lore with an older Laphroaig 10, bottled around 2012, and the Laphroaig 10 was much better. Laphroaig today is not Laphroaig yesterday. The difference is as stark as comparing something that is Scotch with something that is not. The Laphroaig 10 from 2012 is a beautiful, confident whisky that lets you approach it. Newer Laphroaigs, from the modern Laphroaig 10 to their Cairdeas bait, to this Laphroaig Lore is manic, insecure divebar trash that tries to approach you with the subtlety of Cthulhu. Laphroaig’s sad use of sherry casks is just shouting drunken nonsense to hide spirit of decreasing quality, like mini short jeans and flavored lipstick to hide a hollow personality. Ahem, that is still to say, if you turn your brain off, Laphroaig Lore can be competent, and even enjoyable. But, as soon, as you line this up with some real whisky, Lore just becomes this loud pink bubblegum pop! that you’ll be wise to avoid. If you want a Laphroaig today, go the independent bottler route. Score: 0 (forgettable) How much does a bottle cost: $90-140 How much do I think a bottle is worth?: $50

Peat and sea on the nose. Underlying fresh notes of citrus and tobacco and campfire (the one with a little too much wet wood). A little sherry. Taste: citrus notes. Caramel, meaty and well balanced sweetness. Sherry barrel is really present. Long lingering finish. Buttery and caramel. After a minute it switches back to fresh fruits. Amazing whisky.

Amazing. Peatty. Good nose. Clean. Everything I want in a scotch but at a slightly high cost

It’s a full bodied peaty Laphroaig. Almost as good as the 18. Great drink all around.

Smell vanilla Palate hot