In 2021 Laphroaig launched a Sherry Oak model of its basic 10 12 months Outdated. The Islay single malt now receives a end in European oak Oloroso sherry casks. Moreover the sherry affect there’s additionally a welcome improve to 48% ABV (applause). Sherry and peat generally is a troublesome marriage, so let’s discover out.
Laphroaig 10 yo – Sherry Oak End (48%, OB +/- 2021, Oloroso sherry)
Nostril: all the time stunning how sherry casks could make a smoky whisky even smokier. There’s the signature peat in a barely hotter, extra leathery model. Smoked bacon, bandaids, a variety of tarry notes, darkish berry and plum sweetness, in addition to tobacco leaves. Some Maggi and iodine, in addition to a roasted meaty observe. A delicate trace of burning rubber.
Mouth: chocolate and spice seem first, adopted by heat peat smoke and a barely sharper trace of iodine and cedar wooden. Cigars and charred meat. Then brine units in, with a natural contact in addition to maple syrup and many ashy notes. Walnuts and black pepper too – total this stays on the drier aspect.
End: medium lengthy, barely thinner now, with extra ashes and brine balancing a meaty sweetness.
There’s a contemporary sherry affect to this, however it’s properly put collectively. Whereas it lacks a few of the extra medicinal touches of the usual 10, the sherry highlights the hotter, tarry and ashy aspect. Clearly Laphroaig and ideal ingesting power. Those that assume the usual 10 falls quick somewhat, ought to do that. Accessible from The Whisky Change or TyndrumWhisky amongst others.
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