Laphroaig Quarter Cask

I always find Laphroaig tough to love. Unlike its peaty comrades it somehow lacks a soul, becomes too technical and heavy. It’s undescribable to some measure but still I tried.

Sweet, earthy peat smell, oily mouthfeel, and i get some white fruit ( apple, pear) flavors. Some salty, woody astringency on the finish, followed by peat smoke and more white fruit flavors.

While peat is still present here, the peat is not as prevalent as Laphroaig 10. The finsih is a bit more dry and harsh as well. I stuggle to find the vanilla sweetness noted by others. Still, a nice whisky.

Not one of the best offerings from Laphroig but a good dram nevertheless.

A—B with Laphroaig 10, thoughts a bit scattered as i try and compare. Nose: compared to the 10, there is a massive amount of wood on this nose. Sharp oak and vanilla balance well with a peaty, smokey element. There is a substantial brine as well, but the star of the show here is the wood. Peppery, baking spice, nutmeg. The 10 is much more phenolic, and rubbery, like fresh playdough. Coming back to the quarter cask after smelling the 10 brings out some tobacco, leather, and pine/cedar Palate: definitely getting more wood here too. Burnt sugar, warm toasty oak, cinnamon, sweet vanilla and caramel. The peat is here for sure but it comes in more on the transition to finish. Getting hints of green apple but I may be insane. Getting more peat throughout as I sit with it, but theres a hint of a light red fruit sweetness? Theres a little hint of a maritime breeze. A hint of burning wet tree moss as it moves to finish. The 10 has more fresh malt character, and medicinal peaty elements. The smoke is more prominent on the 10 as is the brine. Finish: rubbery phenols come out most here, oak tannins here are significantly more prominent than in the 10, as expected. Drying and tongue coating. 10 has more salinity. 10 gives more ash, phenols, and earthy peat fire on the finish.