From Islay comes the Laphroaig 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky. Mention the name Islay and visions of a windswept lonely island in the Atlantic ocean comes to mind. The ocean played an integral part in Islay’s history as it brought explorers, wanderers and conquerors.
Ancient people erected Neolithic standing stones on the granite hills. It gives the island it’s maritime climate. It is a name that evokes many positive emotions for peat lovers and a visit to Islay for some, is seen as a pilgrimage.
Islay is the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland; known as “The Queen of the Hebrides”. It lies just south-west of Jura and around 40 kilometres north of the Irish coast.
At one time in the Islay whisky history, there were up to 23 distilleries in operation. This dwindled to just seven during the 1900s. Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg, have a smoky character with lots of peat, characteristic of the Islay malts.
Caol Ila, on the northern side of the island, also produces a strongly peated whisky. Bowmore distillery has a medium peat level, and Bunnahabhain makes lighter drams and Bruichladdich is unpeated.
The last ten years have seen a growth in new distilleries again. The Kilchoman distillery started production in late 2005. The Gartbreck Distillery is expected to start distilling spirit in summer of 2017 and is situated just south of Bowmore.
This will be followed by the Ardnahoe Distillery, located between Port Askaig and Bunnahabhain, which is expected to start distilling in 2018.
But the distillery that for me, is quintessential Islay, is Laphroaig. Named after Loch Laphroaig on the south coast of Islay. Started by the Johnson brothers, the Laphroaig distillery changed hand a few times and is currently owned by Beam Suntory.
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Laphroaig 10 year old Whisky Review
Laphroaig’s distinctive flavour comes from its closeness to the ocean and the high moss content of its peat. The Laphroaig 10 year old single malt Scotch whisky is the original cask strength version. It is aged in ex bourbon barrels.
REGION: Islay
ABV: 55.7%
COLOUR: Dark sparking gold
NOSE: Big and bold with notes of moist ocean air, seed weed, smoke, peat, iodine and ash but with hints of fruity sweetness, bits of salted caramel.
PALATE: The peatiness and the sweetness is nicely balanced with not one element overpowering the other. There are notes of smoke, earth and malt softened by the sweeter ripe fruit notes with caramel. Make no mistake, this is no shrinking violet! The Laphroaig 10 year old whisky is bold and in your face, but it does it with class and finesse.
FINISH: Long and lingering with reminders of driftwood and peat.
RATING: EXCELLENT
Water softens this Laphroaig 10 year old Cask Strength whisky a bit to open up more salted fudge notes. Warming and delicious, this is just the dram I want to have when the weather is cold and rainy outside, and I am toasty warm inside next to the fireplace. I will replace this bottle rather quickly again; it is just marvellous.
I have done a side by side comparison between the 10 year old and the Laphroaig Quarter cask whisky to see how they differ.
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