Laphroaig Quarter Cask

This has been my go-to indulgence for years. I've described it as a subtle "campfire doused in seawater", crying out to be savored by the firepit under a starry sky.

I stumbled upon this bottle, and I'm glad I did. I was at a Lounge, and after glancing at their back shelf, I noticed that Laphroaig Quarter Cask was the only bottle they had that wasn’t a mainstream mixer. I asked to order an ounce neat, and that began my encounter. I’m not overly familiar with peated scotch, but I’ve had Laphroaig 10yr and a few others. I can’t completely recall my L10 experience, but I had a good idea of what to expect from Laphroaig. The nose started how I recall L10, but as I sat with LQC, it began to open up into a very unique experience. I got Peat, Smoke, and Briney notes off the top, evolving into sweet honey floral notes, and then one level further with berry and cherry notes. The palette is a rich experience that coats your mouth with a spicy start. I love the spicy tingle that erupts. A well-balanced mix of smoke and floral sweetness follows that. It's hard to explain, but I would say the sweetness helps balance the harshness of the smoky peat. The finish is smooth. I think the proof point is perfect at 98. It is complete, helping to carry all of the flavour. The smoky, peaty, and salty notes you get at the start come back at the end like a faint breeze fading away over the countryside. Laphroaig does a bang-up job with its branding. The bottle and case are classic. I love how they gave me a little booklet detailing how to claim a sq/ft of islay. It's pretty cool for a Canadian Boy who lives on the prairies, nowhere near an ocean. This will be a bottle that I will be returning to repeatedly. 9.25/10

NAS 48% abv Colored I'm a huge fan of Laphroaig 10, especially its signature iodine, bandage, and cigar ash notes. This one is much lighter on the peat/ash character and heavier on fruits. Nose: Seasoned and smoked meat, dried fruits, musty attic, dark chocolate. There are a lot of things happening... Palate: Very light and fresh, "velvety". The famous Laphroaig notes are definitely there, but wrapped in a warm and cozy fruit cashmere. Finish: Sugar ash aftertaste, sweet fruits. Another great product from Laphroaig.

“Negroni”-style Lagavulin. Joking but only to some extent. Peaty and smoky, but extensively fruity, longing with caramel coating, it’s buring you under a massive cold rock that feels like a soft warm blanket. Yes, something like that. Always underestimated QA, now never won’t.

Sweet Peaty Macadamia Leathery Herbs