Laphroaig, Quarter Cask, Islay, Single Malt Scotch Whisky (48%)

Laphroaig, Quarter Cask, Islay, Single Malt Scotch Whisky (48%)

Product: 10008009069
 
Laphroaig, Quarter Cask, Islay, Single Malt Scotch Whisky (48%)

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Description

Laphroaig Quarter Cask takes its inspiration from the small casks often used for Scotch Whisky in the 19th century and frequently transported across the Glens by packhorse. To recreate some of the Quarter Casks and the flavours they produce, some still maturing Laphroaig is transferred from our larger style barrels into the Quarter Casks, followed a further periods of maturation.The additional oak influence creates a soft sweetness and velvety feel when first tasted, then the intense peatiness so unique to Laphroaig, comes bursting through.

spirit at a glance

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Critics reviews

Other
Nose
Rich heavy nose with a vague floral touch (lilac?). Chestnut purée, white chocolate. A huge whiff of smoke emerges. Develops on toffee.
Palate
Smooth for the strength. Good grip. Water rounds it up. Creamy with an ashy dryness. Smoky.
Finish
Toffeish with a spicy burst. Smoke lingers.
Comment
Seems to hesitate between sweetness and dryness. Give it time to open, you will not regret it.

Martine Nouet - Whisky Magazine Issue 47 Nose
Maritime. Kipper-like, orange peel thrown on a barbecue, peat oil, tar, slightly sooty. Ever changing mix of dry, perfumed and sweet.
Palate
Starts soft and fruity, then peat. Medicinal peatiness balanced by caramelised sweetness.
Finish
Oatcake.
Comment
Expansive and complex. The balance and complexity gives it the edge over the other Islay.

Dave Broom - Whisky Magazine Issue 47 Read more

About this SPIRIT

Laphroaig Distillery, Islay

Laphroaig Distillery, Islay

Laphroaig (Gaelic for the beautiful hollow by the broad bay) boasts, as its name demands, an idyllic setting for a Distillery, with its own sea loch and peninsula in the south-east of Islay. The distillery was established in 1815 by the brothers Donald and Alec Johnston. Alas one of the founding brothers died in 1847 by drowning in a vat of fermenting wash, and it passed through the family, with much in-fighting along the way.

Laphroaig's peat bogs on the Glenmachrie Peat Moss and its water source, the Kilbride Dam, combines in the distilling process to produce a characteristically peaty and full-coloured whisky. Its unique taste saw it prosper in America during Prohibition (1920-1933) where its import was permitted as a 'medicinal spirit'. Many of the original buildings remain, including the traditional malting floors where the malt is regularly turned by hand to maintain an even temperature throughout the 7-day germination period. Without question one of Scotland's most renowned distilleries.

About 10% of the production is marketed as single malt, the remaining part being incorporated in blend, amongst others Black Bottle and Islay Mist.

After the French group Pernod Ricard took control the previous owners of the distillery, Allied Domecq, in 2005, the Laphroaig distillery was ceased to the American Fortune Brand, owner of amongst others Jack Daniels.

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Islay Whisky

Islay Whisky

The whisky region of Islay (pronounced eye-la) is arguably the most important 200 or so square miles in the whisky world. On the face of it Islay just another island of the Inner Hebrides. It lies in Argyll just to the west of Jura and around 25 miles north of the Irish coast, which can be seen on a clear day. 

The island's fame as far as whisky goes is due to the 8 distilleries currently in production and the vast tracts of peat that cover most of the island's surface. The whisky distilleries are: Ardbeg, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Bunnahabhain, Caol Ila, Kilchoman (this is the newest distillery on the island which started producing spirit in 2005), Lagavulinand Laphroaig.

The 8 distilleries with whisky for sale can be divided up, depending on the amount of peat used. The `big 3' are Ardbeg, Lagavulin and Laphroaig who all produce powerful smoke laden whiskies. The new malt produced by Kilchoman is also very powerful indeed. 

Occupying the middle ground are Bowmore and Caol Ila. The whiskies produced at Bruichladdich and Bunnahabhain are in peat terms at least, the lightest

There were more distilleries in the past: Port Ellen closed in 1983 while the Lochindaal at Port Charlotte closed in1929. The buildings at Port Ellen are however still in use, it is here that malted barley for the island's distilleries is produced.

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When is a wine ready to drink?

We provide drinking windows for all our wines. Alongside the drinking windows there is a bottle icon and a maturity stage. Bear in mind that the best time to drink a wine does also depend on your taste.

Not ready

These wines are very young. Whilst they're likely to have lots of intense flavours, their acidity or tannins may make them feel austere. Although it isn't "wrong" to drink these wines now, you are likely to miss out on a lot of complexity by not waiting for them to mature.

Ready - youthful

These wines are likely to have plenty of fruit flavours still and, for red wines, the tannins may well be quite noticeable. For those who prefer younger, fruitier wines, or if serving alongside a robust meal, these will be very enjoyable. If you choose to hold onto these wines, the fruit flavours will evolve into more savoury complexity.

Ready - at best

These wines are likely to have a beautiful balance of fruit, spice and savoury flavours. The acidity and tannins will have softened somewhat, and the wines will show plenty of complexity. For many, this is seen as the ideal time to drink and enjoy these wines. If you choose to hold onto these wines, they will become more savoury but not necessarily more complex.

Ready - mature

These wines are likely to have plenty of complexity, but the fruit flavours will have been almost completely replaced by savoury and spice notes. These wines may have a beautiful texture at this stage of maturity. There is lots to enjoy when drinking wines at this stage. Most of these wines will hold in this window for a few years, though at the very end of this drinking window, wines start to lose complexity and decline.