My husband John is a frequent traveller. Recently, he brought home the Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla edition of Islay single malt whisky. On his way back to the island, he picked it up at ORT airport.
Tag: Islay Whisky Page 1 of 10
Whisky of the Week review and tasting notes for whisky from the Islay whisky region in Scotland.
Despite the small size of the island and the limited amount of distilleries, the Hebridean island of Islay is considered as one of the most distinct regions. Because of this, Islay has become a centre of “whisky tourism”. The whiskies from Islay are known for their powerful smoky, peaty character.
Currently there are nine Islay distilleries. They incude Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman, Laphroaig, Lagavulin and Port Charlotte. The famous Port Ellen distillery closed its doors in 1983. Bruichladdich is the only distillery on the island that merely produces unpeated single malt whisky.
It feels like a peat focused year and this week is no exception. The spotlight this week is shining on the Laphroaig Four Oak Islay single malt Scotch whisky. Peated whiskies always seem to beckon me from the shelves when it comes time to choose, and this particular expression has certainly piqued my interest.
It’s a testament to the evolution of my palate as I explore the whisky landscape, or it’s simply John’s penchant for picking up peated gems on his travels.
Regardless, let’s dive into the realm of the Laphroaig Four Oak whisky release. Many whisky aficionados see Laphroaig as the essential Islay.
Nestled just outside Port Ellen, this distillery, founded in 1815 by Alexander and Donald Johnston, has etched its name in the annals of whisky history. Under the wing of the Beam Suntory Group since 2014, Laphroaig draws its water from Loch Laphroaig on the island’s southern coast.
The distinctive character of Laphroaig comes from its proximity to the ocean and the abundant moss-laden peat of its surroundings.
Laphroaig holds a prominent place in my collection, with the Laphroaig PX Cask reigning as one of my favourites.
The Laphroaig Four Oak was released for the travel retail market in 2016. The Four Oak is a combination of whisky matured in four different oak types, namely ex-bourbon barrels, 19th Century-style quarter casks, virgin American oak barrels and European oak hogsheads. It is a non-age statement release.
Laphroaig Four Oak Whisky Review
ABV: 40%
COLOUR: Bright gold
REGION: Islay in Scotland
NOSE: Not as bold as I have come to expect from Laphroaig. There are notes of smoke and medicinal peat mixed with iodine, damp wood, caramel sweetness, hints of red berries and roasted nuts. There is a faint spiciness in the background combined with vanilla, dark roasted coffee beans and malt.
PALATE: The Laphroaig Four Oaks has notes of peat and ash with bits of tar and salty dry seaweed. Oak and a dried fish note mingle with a caramel sweetness, pepper, vanilla and sultanas: soft medicinal TCP and iodine.
Subdued vanilla, cardamom and nutmeg stand next to almonds, burnt coffee beans and salty Dutch drop (liquorice). It feels a bit unfinished, and adding water thins the Laphroaig out. It has a light mouthfeel with a slight alcohol heat. Nothing like the refined Laphroaig Quarter Cask or the bold and complex 10 year old release.
FINISH: The Laphroaig Four Oaks finish is drying burnt wood and pepper. Medium length with hints of iodine, peat and salted caramel. Bits of vanilla and hints of salty liquorice.
RATING: GOOD
This is probably my least favourite Laphroaig, with the exception of the Laphroaig Brodir. I might even call it boring. It lacks the bold medicinal peat, ash, and smoke that I came to expect from Laphroaig.
Water tones down the alcohol heat but also tones down any interesting notes. Don’t add water. It feels like a very young single malt whisky. A redeeming feature is the salty liquorice notes. It reminds me a bit of Dutch drop, which I love.
The Four Oak retail for around $72 in the USA or £ 61 in the UK. I am not sure it is worth it for a non-age-statement single malt Scotch that feels very young. For GBP 60, I would rather buy some Talisker or Caol Ila whisky.
I have done a side by side comparison between the Laphroaig 10 year old and the Quarter Cask whisky release to see how they differ.
Embarking on an Islay adventure, I delve into the exquisite realm of Laphroaig with a head-to-head comparison of the renowned Laphroaig 10 vs Quarter Cask single malt Scotch whiskies.
Islay – a name that conjures visions of a windswept, solitary island amidst the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Its history, rich with tales of exploration and conquest, is woven into the fabric of its rugged landscape, adorned with a few remaining Neolithic standing stones atop granite hills.
And what better way to immerse oneself in the essence of Islay than with two bottles of Laphroaig Islay single malt Scotch whisky?
Laphroaig, the epitome of Islay’s essence, draws its name from the waters of Loch Laphroaig on the island’s southern coast. Established by the Johnson brothers in 1815, this distillery has changed hands over the years, now residing in the Beam Suntory stable. Other Scottish distilleries in the portfolio include Auchentoshan and Bowmore distillery.
The distinctive characteristic of Laphroaig emanates from its proximity to the ocean and the abundant moss-laden peat of its surroundings. Now, let’s uncover how these two exceptional expressions fare when placed side by side.
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Laphroaig 10 year old Whisky
The 10 year old Islay single malt Scotch whisky is part of the Laphroaig core (Iconic) range. It was aged for ten years in ex-bourbon barrel casks. There are various cask-strength versions, as well as the standard 40% ABV release.
Laphroaig Quarter Cask Whisky
Introduced in 2004, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask Islay single malt Scotch whisky undergoes a unique ageing process. Initially matured in standard ex-bourbon oak barrels, it is transferred to smaller quarter casks, intensifying the interaction between whisky and oak. It is a NAS release.
Laphroaig 10 vs Quarter Cask Whisky
| Laphroaig 10 yo | Laphroaig Quarter Cask | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Single malt whisky | Single malt whisky |
| ABV | 40% | 48% |
| Colour | Dark gold | Sparking gold |
| Age statement | 10 year old | NAS |
| Nose | Big and bold with notes of moist ocean air, seedweed, smoke, peat, iodine and ash but with hints of fruity sweetness, bits of salted caramel. | Burnt peat, seaweed and medicinal iodine. Mild smoke and a surprising hint of spicy sweetness. A bold, rich, and complex aroma. |
| Palate | The peatiness and the sweetness is nicely balanced. Notes of iodene, charred wood, smoke, earth and malt softened by sweeter ripe fruit drizzled with honey. A burnt coffee bean note in the background. Big and bold bold, but with class and finesse. | There are notes of peat, smoke and seaweed. Hints of iodine, citrus and honey. In the background oak, smoked bacon, cinnamon and tobacco. The addition of water makes the Quarter Cask smoother and softens the medicinal notes. |
| Finish | Long and lingering with reminders of burning driftwood and caramel. | It's long, and it's lingering, and it's complex. It changes from peat to sweet to spicy. |
| My Rating | Excellent | Excellent |
| Price | $47 / £40 | $70 / £47 |
| Pairs well with | Smoked ribs or brisket, blue cheese, or dark chocolate | BBQed meats, cured salmon, and strong cheeses |
While both whiskies embody the quintessential Laphroaig essence of peat, ash, and smoke, they are very different when compared.
The Laphoriag 10 year old whisky’s nose has notes of salty ocean air and fresh fruit sweetness. Tasting continues the peat and smoke, mixed with toasted oak, honey, and a light note of burnt coffee beans. The finish is long and lingering.
On the other hand, the Laphroaig Quarter Cask whisky has bolder medicinal notes mixed with spices on the nose. On the palate, the Quarter Cask has more citrus, smoked bacon, cinnamon, and hints of tobacco. Again, there is a long and lingering finish, but it is spicier than the 10 year old.
In terms of affordability, the Laphroaig Quater Cask single malt whisky retails for around £47 and the standard 10 year old single malt Scotch for £40 on Amazon.
Choosing a favourite proves challenging. The Laphroaig 10 year old has a more seaweed and fruit vibe, while the Quarter Cask is medicinal and spicy with more wooden notes.
I enjoyed the 10 year old release because of the sweet notes, but hubby prefers the Quarter Cask due to the spice. Both are excellent drams; it just comes down to your own preference.
Also Read: Ardbeg Corryvreckan vs Uigeadail Whisky
It was with great fanfare that Ardbeg launched an extension to their core range – Ardbeg An Oa Islay single malt Scotch whisky. The first permanent expression to join the Ardbeg core range since Corryvreckan in 2009.
The rest of the core range include Ardbeg 10 yo and Ardbeg Uigeadail whisky. Ardbeg and Glenmorangie is part of the LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) company, and they are a great marketing company.
I was somewhat sceptical about this new release. I have been less impressed lately by the Ardbeg Day releases. Was this another premium-priced release that does not live up to the hype? In the run-up to the release of the An Oa, a rather corny video was released called ” Whisky Whispers”, about a new release coming.
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The distillery named this release after the Mull of Oa in the south-west of Islay. The Mull offers the Kildaton some protection from the worst the Atlantic storms, and it forms the most southerly point of Islay. Maturation of Ardbeg An Oa whisky takes place in a combination of casks including PX, spicy charred virgin oak and ex-bourbon.
Then this is all married together in Dr. Bill Lumsden’s new French oak ‘gathering vat’. Ardbeg An Oa is non-chill filtered. However, the important question is, what does it taste like?
Ardbeg An Oa Islay Whisky Review
REGION: Islay
ABV: 46.6%
COLOUR: Light Gold
NOSE: Peat, creamy honey, salted liquorice with hints of cough syrup. In the middle sweet vanilla floats about mingling with bits of toasted nuts and pine needles. It’s a fascinating and glorious mix of aromas. It’s complicated, subtle and different all at once. Faint smoke lurks around.
PALATE: Ash, peat, soft honey, sweet vanilla and cinnamon sugar, hints of chocolate and toasted oak. Faint traces of lemon pepper. The An Oa has a big mouthfeel, and it’s smooth and velvety on the palate. Water softens the few rough edges and adds more sweetness. But I finished my first glass without water; it was so good. I had to pour a second glass just to test.
FINISH: Smoothly with a long and lingering finish that hug and comfort you like a favourite jersey. Filled with sweetness and bits of nut.
RATING: DIVINE
The Ardbeg An Oa whisky is not the salty, TCP and strong tar pole notes of an Ardbeg Uigeadail, but a softer, more classic version of it. To me, the Uigeadail is the sea hardened old fisherman with salt in his bones. The An Oa is his daughter that just turned 21.
Sea weathered from living next to the sea, but more feminine and softer and filled with hopes and dreams of things that do not include the ocean and fish. But she will always come back to the fisherman’s cottage, as deep down the sea is still calling.
It is seldom that we finish a bottle. Even bottles that are easily replaceable like the Ardbeg 10 yo take a while for us to finish. This bottle of Ardbeg An Oa whisky is DONE – within four months of buying the bottle. If that does not translate into DIVINE, I don’t know what does!
I asked the question on Instagram Stories – Is this worth the hype, and it seems like most people agree. The Ardbeg An Oa single malt whisky is undoubtedly worth it!
This whisky made it into my Whisky of the Year . See what happened when we blind tested all the Divine rated drams for 2018. I have also done a side by side comparison between the An Oa and the Ardbeg Uigeadail. See which one was my favourite.
During 2020 Ardbeg released a new addition to the core range, the Ardbeg Wee Beastie 5 year old whisky.
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In the world of peaty whiskies, the battle of the Titans takes centre stage today as we delve into the intriguing matchup of the Ardbeg Corryvreckan vs Uigeadail Islay single malt Scotch whisky. These two expressions from the renowned Ardbeg distillery are not for the faint of heart.
Deciding a favourite between them might be challenging. Ardbeg, hailed as a bastion for bold, peated, and complex whiskies, has garnered a cult following, especially among peat enthusiasts.
The Ardbeg distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery on the south coast of the isle of Islay. The distillery is part of the Louis Vuitton stable, that also includes the Glenmorangie distillery.
All the malt for Ardbeg is peated to a level of 50ppm. There have been no floor maltings at Ardbeg since 1981, so all the malt that is used in production comes from the maltings in the village of Port Ellen.
I have examined the difference between the Ardbeg 10 year old and An Oa, and there are pronounced differences. The differences between the Uigeadail and the Corryvreckan seem less clear in my individual tasting notes.
The Corryvreckan and Uigeadail are part of the Ardbeg core range together with the An Oa and the Ardbeg 10 year old whisky.
However, today, I shine the spotlight on the Ardbeg Corryvreckan and Uigeadail whiskies from their core range, exploring the nuances that set them apart.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan Whisky
Let’s kick off our expedition with the Corryvreckan Islay single malt Scotch whisky, often regarded as the embodiment of the untamed spirit of Islay. Released in 2008 to succeed Airigh Nam Beist, this non-chill-filtered dram takes its name from the notorious whirlpool north of Islay.
Matured in a blend of French oak and Burgundy wine casks, the Corryvreckan Islay single malt Scotch whisky is a non-age statement (NAS) release. It has a peat level ranging between 50-55 ppm.
Ardbeg Uigeadail Whisky
On the opposing side, we have the Uigeadail Islay single malt Scotch whisky. The name derived from the Scottish Gaelic for ‘dark and mysterious place’. It pays homage to the loch that provides Ardbeg with its peat-laden waters.
Launched around 2003, this award-winning expression is non-chill-filtered and matured in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon barrels. The Uigeadail Islay single malt Scotch whisky has a peat level of around 50 ppm.
Ardbeg Corryvreckan vs Uigeadail Whisky
| Ardbeg Corryvreckan | Ardbeg Uigeadail |
|
|---|---|---|
| Region | Islay Whisky | Islay Whisky |
| ABV | 57.3% | 54.2% |
| Colour | Dark amber | Light amber |
| Nose | Peat even at a distance. Earthy peat, smoke and sea salt come through. There are medicinal notes with some creamy butter, hints of sweetness, pepper, and leather. | Peat hits you like a wet cloth in the face. Smoke, iodine, and medicinal notes will follow soon after. Raisins, hints of honey and spice follow in the background. |
| Palate | At first, it tastes like having a peat bog in your mouth. The initial notes are followed by liquorice and vanilla. There are smoke, tar and medicinal notes mixed with ash and wood. This whisky is wonderfully smooth with hints of salt, lemon pepper and a little fresh fruit. | A big and bold. Peat, drying ash and smoke fill your mouth. Notes of sherry and Christmas cake mixed with honey and dark chocolate. |
| Finish | Long and lingering. There are notes of fishy peat, spice, pepper and toffee. Oak and vanilla float about. Smoke and salt at the finish. | Long and lingering. Raisins and honey, pepper and espresso. Along the way, it evolves in complexity and richness and continues long after you have swallowed. |
| My Rating | Divine | Excellent |
| Price | £61 | £51 |
As we uncork these two formidable drams, both are memorable and robust. They definitely are not suitable for novice whisky drinkers. Each delivers the quintessential Islay experience with potent peat, iodine notes, and a symphony of smoke, ash, and wood. Despite their high alcohol by volume (ABV), neither succumbs to overpowering alcohol heat.
The Ardbeg Corryvreckan showcases a more traditional Islay influence. It echoes the ocean with notes of seaweed, sea salt, and wet fishy peat. Bold smoke and hints of lemon pepper dance on the palate, creating captivating flavours.
In contrast, the Uigeadail takes a different route, offering fruitier notes and a sweeter profile with a touch of medicinal peat. Old leather, espresso, Christmas cake, and dark chocolate come together harmoniously. Its elegance is apparent without compromising on the inherent boldness of Islay peat.
Personal taste plays a pivotal role in the subjective world of whisky preferences. For some, the Corryvreckan’s in-your-face boldness and pronounced peat might be the pinnacle of Islay perfection.
On the flip side, the Uigeadail, with its more refined and elegant character, captures the hearts of those seeking a sweeter, sherry-influenced experience.
Personally, the Ardbeg Uigeadail resonated more with my palate, thanks to its delightful sherry notes. In John’s case, the Corryvreckan emerged victorious. He enjoyed the bolder, medicinal nuances it offered.
The beauty of this showdown lies in the diversity of flavours. It shows that there’s an Ardbeg for every discerning whisky lover. Whether you lean towards the untamed seas of the Corryvreckan or the dark mysteries of the Uigeadail, one thing is sure – Ardbeg has once again proven its prowess in crafting exceptional peated whiskies.
I have done a side by side comparison between the Ardbeg Uigeadail and Lagavulin 16 year old whisky as well to see how they measure against each other.
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