Review 184: Laphroaig 10

This is the big, sea-weedy, iodine-laden, uber-medicinal, peaty blast that is Laphroaig 10. Widely available for under 50 USD, it's the poison of choice for many peat freaks (of course there's rival Ardbeg 10, which I need to review soon). Certainly not a whisky for the faint of heart. Although I've already reviewed some "fancier" Laphroaigs, including the Quarter Cask, a Cairdeas release, and another one or two. Still, I can't believe it took me this long to get to this staple!

Laphroaig 10

Color: Amber +0

ABV: 43%

Aroma Neat:
Sweet Barbecued Pork, Medicinal Iodine, Fresh PEAT, Driftwood Bonfire, Seaweed, Salt Water, Brown Sugar/Dry Rub, Lemon Must, Barley Flour, Hot Cereal, Fatty (bacon, BACON!).

Sweet and meaty aromas from the peat reach the nose first. After a long while porridge grain begins to peer through the peat. Marvelously out of balance.


Aroma Water:
Vanilla Bean, Seared Pork, Mineralic Peat, Lemon Grass, Dandelion Leaves, Charcoal Dust, Frying Bacon, Fresh French Bread (slightly), Olive Oil, Smoked Kippers/Salmon.

Still peaty and meaty, as expected, but a smack of vanilla is now present. Fatty too!  

Taste Neat:
Warm Cinders/Charcoal Grill, Sweet Sappy Oak, Medicinal Peat, Smoked Vanilla, Barbecue, Lemon Grass, Salty Mineral Water.

The grain, peat, and cask are all present in good proportion on the tongue. The nose was mostly peat notes, but the holy trinity is very apparent when tasted. Well crafted. I wish it were 46% though, as it could use more punchiness.

Taste Water:
Smoked Honey, Dry Earthy Peat, Vanilla, Freshly Charred Oak, Lemon Pith, Strong Breakfast Tea, Black Pepper (slightly), Iodine, Seared Sword Fish/Smoked Kippers. 

Still hugely peaty, yet somehow reasonably balanced by grain and cask. Simply a "big" whisky.

Finish:
Dry Barley Malt, Old Coffee Beans, Faint Peat/Dirt, Lemon Pith, Sweet Red Apples (faintly).

I think the finish is a weaker aspect of Laphy 10. It fades a little too quickly and is a let down in contrast to the blast delivered on the nose and palate. I guess that's what the cask strength 10 year old is for!

Conclusion:
Hugely medicinal and peaty nose. No other whisky has peat quite like Laphroaigs.

Big, but complete palate with peat, grain, and cask contributions.

Somewhat weak and short finish. Higher ABV fixes this.

Rating: 85/100

Classic Islay. There can be no substitute for Laphroaig.

Josh