LeeEvolved
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
August 17, 2017 (edited January 18, 2020)
I'm taking the time to re-review Laphroaig Quarter Cask from my initial, short-worded/short-sighted review back in April of 2016. I was relatively new to scotch whisky back then and it seemed like I was quickly blown away each time I tried something new from that little wind-swept isle off of the west coast of Scotland. I'm redoing this review primarily because I wanted to revisit this whisky along side it's newest sibling- the 2017 Cairdeas release. That is the cask strength version of Quarter Cask.
First, a little bit of info about the regular Quarter Cask: it's blended DOWN to 48%, it's non-chill filtered with no added color and consists of whisky that is 5-7 years old that is finished in smaller oak casks for an additional 7 months before bottling.
On the nose, there's wonderful notes of fresh cut barley, smoldering embers coated with dried BBQ sauce, hickory smoke and an incredible buttery sweetness that cuts right through all that smoke. It's luscious.
The initial sip overloads your mouth with sweet and smoky fish. The oily skin crackling in the heat bites down on your tongue with that signature Laphroaig saltiness before relenting and washing away with a creamy, biscuity smoothness that will ultimately leave you wanting more.
The finish is smooth, velvety smooth in fact. It's medium in length and the fading heat and smoke brings to mind being downwind of your neighbors chimney on a cool, early winter evening. A long, deep exhale really pushes everything from your chest and lungs and gives you one final, warm hug. I can only imagine John Campbell whispering in my ear "Thanks for coming, go home and tell your friends what you've experienced here, laddie." Yes, it's that good. 4.5, maybe 4.75 stars. Cheers, my friends.
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I might have to try it again as like PBMich my first experience was underwhelming. And the flavours glued on rather than well integrated. It was the start of my peat phase so who knows things may change next time round :-)
QC is the scotch that pulled me into this crazy world. One sip at my brother in laws house and I knew my life would be forever changed. Great review
Nice job Lee! I have samples of Laphroaig QC, Lore, and Brodir I need to get to. Pranay forgets his review of Brodir that he describes as having a nose like a pair of sweaty gym socks. I think I'll save that one for last. :)
In my mind, there are 3 near-perfect/perfect Laphroaig's: 2013 Port Finish Cairdeas (perfect), Lore (perfect) and the QC (near). I loved the PX Cask, too. I'm really hoping John Campbell has some 10yo or (gasp)Lore slowly aging in some quality port pipes and that will be coming out eventually/soon. I will fill my bathtub with that juice and submerge myself in it, slowly gulping in until I drain the tub or drown in it. Live or die, I win. Lol
This was probably the only Laphroaig I didn't like. Just seemed like I was hit with an oak branch.
@LEEEVOLVED great review, I have not tried this one but will be certainly remedying that soon! Cheers