Review #127 Laphroaig Quarter Cask: Scotch

Score: 7.8 / 10

Distillery: Laphroaig Distillery

Type: Islay Scotch Whiskey

A more oaky and more tannic offering from our friends at Laphroaig than the typical 10yr. Why? Well because it's a quarter cask finish. A quarter cask is simply a cask that is one quarter the size of the standard 53 gallon drum. Ie, you are going to get a lot more wood contact to liquid than the alternative during the finishing process.

Released in 2004 this is aged for 5 years and then finished in these quarter casks for several months. This does not require as much maturation as the typical scotch as it get more wood contact from the used barrels.

If you always thought that your Laphroaig needed more wood, this is the expression for you.

Whiskey Review:

Nose: Peaty, not a big surprise. More briney / chlorinated than typical 10yr. Peppermint with a slight anise fades in and out.

Palate: Tastes and smells like pool water. Actually very pleasant. Smokey with a very sharp oak, a heavier ethanol.

Finish: Medium Finish, tons of oak, smoke, dirtier and earthier than 10yr, A tannic hyde with strong oak lingering on the back.

Score: 7.8

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Availability? Common. I actually prefer the 10yr over this. It's too oaky for me and has more bite to it than usual. Also, the price is too much for what it is. That being said, I love me some Laphroaig!