Laphroaig Select

The final round of the whisky diner of course had to be a smoky one. Choice at the restaurant was limited, but there was this 40% Laphroaig Select at the bar. Laphroaig made a blend of Oloroso/white oak/PX/QC and 1st fill bourbon to create this. Nosing was pleasant with the usual Islay suspects like brine, wood smoke and muddy peat. Iodine was present but less dominant than other Laphroaigs I tasted. Red fruits and dry oak completed the nice nosing. On the palate much of the peat had disappeared, leaving not much more than spicy ginger and apple vanilla with a faint peat and smoke in the back. A bit disappointing at this point. The medium finish left a musty peat and acidic apple with an underlayer of fresh young oak. Before everything really faded away a sudden surprising iodine did pop up. But that was too little and too late to save this one. Although it was not bad. It certainly was the worst Laphroaig I tasted so far. A bit surprising to me, because I liked the 10 and QC a lot. Those two are within the same price range. 78 points 27,50€/70cl

Same as Ardbeg but a little lighter Maybe floral? better than Ardbeg 10 IMO

Young, but exceptionally drinkable. Sweet with a woody, smoky, tarry, vegetal nose. Medium bodied w/ a medium length finish. Smoke, grass, melon, Granny Smith apple skin, warm band-aid plastic. A reasonable gateway into the isle of Islay.