Laphroaig Triple Wood

Cold and brisk outside on this Sunday evening. Country music playing with a warming fire blazing in the wood stove. A bit of evening stillness of an impending freezing Nor’easter somewhere, at this moment, creeping towards us from the Midwest. A perfect time for an Islay whisky. Fortunately, I have a sample provided by Lee. I am greeted with that lovely, Laphroaig sweet peatiness with a maritime touch of salt, seaweed and iodine within a damp earthiness. A sweet side of toffee, vanilla with a hickory-smoked meat. This nose is one I can inhale all day as this conjures up visions if a wintry New England seaside fishing harbor. Delivered in a strong wood-influenced body that is very drying; as if I am chewing on a toothpick. Traceable amounts of sherry and pecans, walnut lurk in the background. A crescendoing black pepper spice rises and fades rapidly near the end as it work towards the finish. The palate is left with cigar smoke, sweet BBQ char, ash, oak and spearmint flavors. A touch of creme brulee creeps up and the very end of the finish. This is a nice, warming whisky that brings forth a bit of the sea, BBQ, woodiness and earthiness: classical elemental simpleness of fire, earth, water and air with a fifth element, not aether, but of sugary sweetness. An Islay peatiness that is not overdone. [Dry Glass: wet-charred wood with tea and honey][88/100][Tasted: 3/12/17] ---------------------------------------------------- Initial sample review: Whisky on the Hudson 9/18/2014 : Trace amount of peat with some spice and fruits on the nose. Fruits, spices and oak on the palate. Balanced, sweeter finish which is pleasingly long. I enjoyed this a greatly. I need to add to my collection.

Smokey and woody. Delicious.

ORIGINAL REVIEW (1/9/16): My first sips of this really overwhelmed my palate: heavy medicinal and leathery tastes were kind of off-putting, but I'm really new to the scene and wasn't prepared for this big, peat bomb. I've went back and visited it over the last week or so and its starting to grow on me. Coming from the craft beer scene I really dig lots and lots of flavor in anything alcoholic that I drink. I hope this one comes around for me and I think, eventually, it will. UPDATED REVIEW (3/12/17): So, I'm revisiting this bottle as part of the Scotland Distillery Trade group that I'm part of. This is the second time I purchased this bottle simply because of my love of Laphroiag. This triple cask matured whisky comes in at 48% ABV, is non chill filtered and has no color added. This bottle routinely runs just shy of $70 here in Virginia. The nose is all Laphroiag smoke, band aid and oak. Lots and lots of wood on the nose. It almost overshadows the smokiness. On the tongue, it's still loaded with peat, campfire ash and smoke there's just a ton of wood cask notes. The pepper spice really sizzles on the top of the tongue and rides the wave into the slightly harsh finish. Imagine sliding a piece of fresh cut oak back and forth across your tongue and then setting it on fire. It's very powerful. I'm not totally opposed to this flavor, but the sensation is a bit off putting. The finish is oily and thick like most Laphroaigs. Overall, this definitely isn't my favorite Laphroiag but I could still drink this when I really want an Islay scotch that's all up in my business. You really need to be in the mood for this one to work. 3.5 stars. Cheers, my friends

Another stop in our tasting of Scottish distilleries, this time in Islay, sample courtesy of Lee (thank you!!). I don't think there's ever been a Laphroaig I didn't like. Till now. The peat doesn't seem well integrated here, seems really strong upfront till mid-palette, with a bitter astringent finish. One maturation too many.