Once imbibed, a cloud of smoke erupts in the mouth, accompanied by the lingering spice and the vestiges of iodine. Decent complexity that I'm still discovering. The 2010 episode from Spain can be found on YouTube. A lemony zest is also floating around in the glass though it is still fairly light. Very solid dram, would always pick this over the 10 Year old and most Islay malts. For some odd reason with cask strength and 18 the balance is just perfect. Delicious, and a real crowd pleaser, despite being, by the standards of some, quite "young". Nice sweetness, sugary malt, peat and smoke.. Like it Alot.. Only if South Florida ever gets cold to enjoy a nice peaty one. Do I like the other Laphroaig offerings? This whisky is inexpensive enough (by Canadian Scotch Standards, so less than $100) to drink often (which I don't only because I have so many great scotches to drink) but also great enough to impress any level of peated scotch fan. Tar and asphalt take a hold of the nose, but in a pleasant way with more smokey peat hot on it's tail. Very recently, I started back with a fairly mild mannered Irish Whiskey - the Redbreast, with an occasional Jameson thrown in. It was much stronger at first: with your eyes closed, you could see the peat fires burning. It's got a typical peaty finish but it's surprisingly not as smokey and powerful as I would have expected it to be. @jac finally writes some reviews!!! I have to say, to manage 4 pretty big categories of flavours salty, sweet, smoky, and spicy, as laphroaig quarter cask does is absolutely tremendous. My current bottle is about my 4th QC and I am as impressed now as I was the first time around. It seems to be a feather in the globlists' caps, however, because it gives the impression of being a private newspaper/website, when in fact it is tightly controlled by propaganda programs and agencies of the emerging global scientific dictatorship (Aldous Huxley's term). I love this whisky, It's what raised my interest in whisky to the level of mild obsession. how long the QC is in the smaller casks. Laphroaig distillery (the name means "the beautiful hollow by the broad bay") was established in 1815, by Alex and Donald Johnston. When I first opened the bottle, I noticed the wonderful smokey, peaty smell mixed with quite a strong oak smell, which I guess comes from the smaller casks. Tasted neat at 48% after 5mins of settling down. Finish: long and Laphroaigy", michelles says "We drank a bottle of this a few years ago on holiday in Morocco and I got a bit tired of the extremely woody flavour. Quarter Cask, 750ML, USA: (CA) But despite the added abv, I would still argue that this walks the line between a light sipper and a peat monster, particularly after time has worked its magic. I just picked up a bottle of QC last night for the first time after a few people recommended it. Not that age stated expressions are always perfect or consistent, but the age statement gives us something. Currently no prices for: France 1815 vintage, Netherlands: Groningen, Laphroaig Quarter Cask 70cl Single Malt Whisky + Geschenkverpakking, Italy: Milan [Milano], Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky Quarter Cask Laphroaig 0.7l, UK: London, Germany: Berlin, Laphroaig Quarter Cask, Single Malt Scottish Whisky, 0,7l, Spain: Barcelona. A great experience for the senses. However, my hobby is frowned upon in many close quarters which is why I take great pains to keep this aspect of my life far removed from those who I may offend. Theres quite a bit of earthiness from the peat, too. Paint thinner, pink rubber eraser. Pears. A real real smoked meat comes out of it, folowed by the same flower sweetness and a bit of wet Leather covered by falling leaves and more wich i reallt can not describe. This should sit for 10 minutes or so as it will open up with time, and a little water. Familiar Islay armoas creep out from my snifter glass as I try and keep pace with a barrage of sensory fireworks. And I seem to like it even worse than I did six months ago. More shipping infoShipping info, Cant ship spirits outside Massachusetts. The smoke stays around for awhile. also detected a trace of carnation milk and a faint golden syrup note. The transition is done nice and slow, and doesn't show the harshness of the first glass. great malt. Cocoa, light vanilla, rice pudding perhaps? Very interesting to find a sweet undertone, I like it. Peaty, Salty, Windy, Firey. High time to revisit it. So, compared with the 10yo CS the QC is rather refined. Up front, there is an initial sweetness, citrus, with some caramel and sugar. Even though its matured faster than the 10 year old (8 years I believe) I don't know how they can make something this good, keep it for 8 years and sell it at that price. YES, I would. Sweeter than the 10. The difference is clearly the wood, that you can actually smell here, without the whisky becoming oaky. @Ol_Jas, yeah I've always thought that "overproof" is a word that alcohol-sensitive people who think that 40% ABV is a lot of alcohol content like to use to impress other people who are also not used to drinking, or even thinking about, anything over 40% ABV. This Quarter Cask is about the sweetest 'freshly opened bottle' Laphroaig you will find. Quite warming, even after first sip. A very enjoyable dram, if possibly over hyped. Except for a little orange, this has become excessively industrial and even bitter. This one really reminds me not of a bonfire, but of a cookout and I like that. More shipping infoShipping info, Standard delivery next day Letting it open up and settle some more yields subtle sweetness and olive oil. Here are the tasting notes. Before, Scotches came in two varieties to me ("tastes good," "doesn't taste good"). So from now on, I'm going to be more patient with my whisky and not jump to hasty conclusions. Walnuts and a peppery toffee apple. Drink it young and fresh! I would love to see what you think once I post my reviews. Nose: It is definitively a Laphroaig. It usually goes out twice a year and is sold out within a week. The QC scores consistently in the high 80s. Salted caramel and hazelnuts. On the palate, I get less smoke and peat than with the other Laphroaig expressions. Side note (or would it be a footer way down here.hmmmm) The fact that they have a titanium white cork cap kills me. There's been so much discussion of Laphroaig recently that I wanted to finally do up this review, but I've been so tired from the rest of my life that I can't do it the usual way. The nose also gives away the classic Laphroaig annotations, TCP, plasters, salt/peat and a bit of rubber. More shipping infoShipping info, Free UK DLV on orders 6+ btls or 200. Please sign in or create a free account to . I try to grab a bottle when I can. This was "the" whisky to switch my palate from an islay hater to an islay lover. More shipping infoShipping info, Free & flat-rate FedEx shipping options. More shipping infoShipping info, Free shipping in UK over 100. Opened December 31 2014, this one has been open for 2.5 years, gassed after each use, and less than 1/5th full. I agree. Palate: A lime entrance brings big viscous flavors: potpourri with bitter walnut skins, turning to smoky cedar with sweet cream, to vanilla with lime and peppery cloves, finally to liquorice with rubber and charcoal. Im a fan boy. Balance: A very well done whisky. It jumps out with chalky dry enamel stripping booze with a lot of moss and earthy sweet finish. The finish, which is long and starts very smoky, offers some oak at last, making the end transform from sweet to slightly bitter. Ardmore Traditional Cask is also on my wishlist to add to the 'non-standard sized cask' whisky collection in the future. Taste: Smooth, lingering connection to nature; it breathes in the way that a tall forest negates strong winds leaving you immersed in the wafting, slow and stiff air under the canopy where everything is still and calm. Costa Mesa, USA: (CA) QC is also ten dollars cheaper than the cask strength. If not, what's the change? I, too, recognize the inherent subjectivity of tastes, and of reviews, but I do attempt to balance it with some measure of objectivity. The finish is long and warming. Since this is a peated whisky, its character will quickly change between the first glass and subsequent tastings. sweeter, carmel, nutmeg, orange (cooked), balanced fine.. a little water opens Quater Cask to almost smoke apples, burnt sugar and dark chocolate. There are notes of sweet barbeque in the background, vanilla, and vegetal, oily aromas present. More shipping infoShipping info, All products in stock and ready to ship. I feel like i'm back in time doing reno work with my dad and grandpa. Definitely good on a rainy day! More shipping infoShipping info, No shipping available Better then the 10 yr old. I suggest you dump this one down the sink and try another bottle sometime. Thanks, Pat! As it approaches the finish it becomes a bit cardboardy. Definitely worth having on the shelf for almost any whisky drinker. The palate is sweet at the beginning and rather subdued but once you coat your mouth with it, it's gets strong and you taste the peat and a slight burning on the tongue. There is some vanilla at first, then more and more smoke appears, coming in waves over the tongue. Too bad winter is endingindeed ideal for that winter evening. Cask strength 10 also blends quite well with Glenfarclas 12 year for a charming vatting that visiting company in one's home will often enjoy. On the palate, medicinal, ash, sour citrus with some pith. So when my wife and sister in law were in NYC and the latter wanted to get me something at DF for looking after our nephew (actually it was a pleasurehe likes Scotch), from what they described this was the best choice and I ended up with a Litre bottle. Salted caramel, with oak lingering in the background as well. I challenge you not to dream of the rugged coast of Islay. It's a bona fide winner. This is probably (I'm not entirely sure, though) younger than the 10 Year Old, but the quarter casks give it more depth and a longer finish. Good stuff from Laphroaig, particularly on a cold and rainy afternoon. As with the 10 year old whisky I'm very impressed. I have divided the notes into two sections - with and without water. I held back two points because of the use of Caramel colour. I don't approve of the CS church, however, but Science and Health and spiritual metaphysics has proved to be quite useful in terms of keeping my outlook positive and uplifting. Finally, just a touch of sugar. Here are my tasting notes: This whisky has been a consistent favourite of mine for a long time. . Zestiness is also recognized entwining with a background spicines, barely missing a beat. Tasted from an alternate vantage: the leather is more like toasted walnuts and their skins, and these find themselves in the salty graham crust of a Key lime pie-- with the Key lime elements of sweetness, vanilla/coconut smoothness, and a little prodding sharpness of the rind. I am balancing some leanings towards Christian Science with fine scotch appreciation. Underneath the smoke is a layer of sweet citrus, oranges perhaps. At a recent tasting amongst friends, I thought this was one of the 'stars' of the night. I think that such people are usually not used to sipping spirits for their flavours. It could also be attributed to a decrease in quality of the casks, a slight change in the ingredients, production methods, or equipment; Maybe a lot can be attributed to the usage of other warehouse facilities. Nose: Lots of that beautifully gentle Laphroaig sweetness. More shipping infoShipping info, HK Sales only This was an overproof so I put a little water in it. It's snowing here as a write this and looking out at the drifts I think this is the perfect expression for the season. @Taco I'm totally with you there. To give you the best search experience, we use cookies for remembering your search filters, personalizing content, and analyzing how the website is used. More shipping infoShipping info, Most orders ship within 24 hours The truth about Laphroaig is that it made me sick. I don't know how, but with time this whisky completely changed for the better both on the nose and on the palate. "That was as strong as it got, as I had literally given away all my Islay malts to a good friend" Why did you give it away? If Laphroaig had a wealthy, sophisticated, suave uncle, this bottle would be it. Some keep saying that is an excellent value for the money. In spite of the higher ABV (48%), the drink was quite smooth with little alcohol bite to it. For me it is a mood whisky, warm and relaxing - regardless of what I shot on the golf course. Typically powerful Laphroaig - I can be several feet away and catch peat and smoke notes. Nose: iodine-forward, lots of brine, smoke pushed back a bit, vanilla, toffee, pears, Palate: much fruitier on arrival, then toffee, smoke, ash, black pepper, slightly waxy, more pears. I cannot stress the spice on this, its huge on the arrival. A gently roaring wood-burning stove, to be precise. Sounds like the finish is longer than your review ;). This tastes so fresh. Lots of wood, now, both oak and woodsmoke. It is simple a magnificent dram. It is younger than 10 years old as the quarter cask accelerates the maturation process (more wood surface per liter). So no water anymore. During a wonderful and romantic stay at Breadalbane Inn in Fergus ON, I ordered this smooth and memorable Islay malt before dinner. ", "Fabulous Laphraoig, this. Palate: Full and mouth coating. A great whisky, deserving of its esteemed reputation? Like you I was expecting something harsher also. Palate - Huge peat and smoke is first to hit but mellows quickly into oak, aniseed and some barley sugar.Classic iodine also shines through. On second tasting I will leave the bitter notes to the taste alone. Something fellow whisky reviewers confirmed to me. More shipping infoShipping info, Free local, 1 day delivery in Rhode Island. With Ardbegs, I'll take the Uigeadale over the Alligator or the Corryvreckan any eve of the week. I've had some bottles that are a bit smokier than others, or a bottles where the dark chocolate notes are more prominent, but I've never had a bad bottle. I have tasted it with notes on six occasions (92, 89, 89, 88, 89, 85). @rigmorole I really dont have the words to respond to your humbling praise. It starts with a cool, slightly sweet maltiness, with a very slight orange presence. I don't think so. Unbelievably complex fruity flavors wrapped in gorgeous peat. Jersey City, Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Scotch, Laphroaig, Islay, 750ml, USA: (CT) This is like Scottish chicken soup. Since Ive been reviewing all the popular drams lately, I would be remiss to not include the ol QC. More shipping infoShipping info, Local delivery avaliable. It's pretty much young Laphroaig partially aged in small barrels at a healthy 48%. No, certainly not, and the Highland Park also vats up nicely with half one half to one quarter of Laphroaig Cask Strength. It stands up well to a drop of water, which really releases those oils and flavours. Aesthetic experience: Golden honey amber. Honey, ginger, crme brle and vanilla give this dram a cream soda-like quality. Water enhances the milk chocolate. Poor ol' me ;). What an amazing experience. Highly recommended. It's classic stuff. More shipping infoShipping info, *Inquire with Store for specific cities, zip codes, or counties It is almost honey-like, with a nice, thick syrupy sensation rolling round the tongue. Drink this, close your eyes. Honestly, no. But as you can see, even for a go to, I don't go to it so often. This stuff is oaky, vanilla-y, sweet, and silky smooth. Yes, I do and I always have, especially the cask strength batches. I applaud the combination of balance and complexity, and I look forward to keeping this around especially for winter evenings. With some water it mellows out a lot and its peaty side diminishes dramatically. San Diego, Laphroaig Quarter Cask Scotch Whiskey, Scotland, USA: (FL) I suppose, at least for me, this is a close to a nectar as one can get! I will very likely give away the remainder of my Laphroaig, but my evaluation of it won't suffer because I happen not to like its overall profile (unless I evaluate a whisky of legitimately low quality, of course). Fall and Winter are ideal for sitting back with a wonderful Scotch, unwinding after a long week and spending time onme. Don't waste your money on the Laga, get the QC instead. QC is a stunning malt and along with the 10yo has set a high Islay benchmark. Generally excepted, it is a 5yo vatting of bourbon casks (Maker's Mark) that than undergoes another year of maturation in a quarter cask to speed up maturation. I cant say I feel the same way about Ardbegs or Lagas after several months of being open. This year, it's different, a very pleasant smokiness mixed with the oak. More shipping infoShipping info, Ships to most US states. The effect of the tannins on the mouthfeel is very enjoyable afterward as well, and there is also a touch of salt in the finish too. A bit of antiseptic popping out at times, but nothing like Talisker 10yo. I'm intrigued by the cask strength. If you are a peat head welcome to heaven! A small note I forgot to add: If you find it too harsh, let the whisky breath for a few minutes in the glass before drinking. Luckily I have a supporting wife and friends who look out for me. . Why I marked it 97 is the caramel e150a in there which is completely useless imo. Smokey, spicy, malty sweetness and a softening of the 48% burn. More shipping infoShipping info, Free shipping from CHF 200 2 days with VinoLog Swiss Post. With water it is at least palatable to me. I still cannot believe the first sip! This had been on my list for a while, and at the price, my wife only required me to go through a relatively minor amount of begging ;). The 10y gave me more pleasure than the QC. Undaunted, though, and through the grinding inevitability of time and patience, I managed to unlock the intrinsic qualities of Laphroaig QC. I figure if I cant get the 10 cask strength, this will do nicely. The second sip and that sweetness takes a grip: theres a burnt caramel edge to it. Throat: This is one of the most soothingly smooth whiskies I've ever tasted, and despite being so easy to drink it's also incredibly rich and alive with a wholly unique flavor and a long-lasting aftertaste that keeps you in that mysterious forest. More shipping infoShipping info, Free UK Delivery over 75 However I can absolutely relate to you describing it as 'meaty'. *Inquire with Store for specific cities, zip codes, or counties. I really do not know how they manage it. The fruity notes (pear) bring a more balanced whisky and more complex. After tasting this again I would re-rate this 9.5.. very special Whisky, beautifully smokey with several distinct levels of evolution in the taste.. will be keeping this bottle handy for the biting winter we have down here now.. Air temperature is cooling down here in New York, making this the beginning of Scotch season for me. CS is also an "alcohol free" religion. I love this Whisky in a familial way. On the front I taste and almost feel the smouldering remains of a beach fire made from driftwood, dampened by sea spray and light drizzle. The vanilla flavours are back, together with a touch of chocolate. A class of '72 tasting of California greats exposes several important lessons in wine aging. Thenlast night, after work, I got a bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask, hoping that I would like it even better, especially with the higher alcohol content. The peat and oak gradually recede and reveal sweeter notes most predominantly a brown sugar layer on the smoke. At $80 it is still worth every penny. I really think Laphroaig and Ardbeg are best - for me - when they are freshly opened. Theres a touch of the orange zetiness as well in the taste. Ive come to love the QC and Ive come to love Laphroaig overall. I found it quite harsh at first, but it has since mellowed quite a bit, and, in my opinion, is all the better for it. A long satisfying finish during which you can work out how much more than 21 you'd be willing to pay for this. Monday - Friday, order before 22:00 next day in house, Beer & Spirits are not eligible for shipping to California, Free deliveries in mainland Portugal and Spain for purchases over 65 euros. It's youth brings a big peaty nose with smoke, but less medicinal notes than the 10 yo. Here, things are happening, things are moving, people are singing. This was the most expensive scotch I've ever had, and once it is gone I'll have to live with the realization that everything I've been drinking up until now has actually been mediocre at best. Ballston Lake, Laphroaig Scotch Single Malt Quarter Cask, Scotland, Islay, USA: (DE) Wood smoke and burning leaves. Oak, peat, damp earth, cereal, and more of that lovely sweetness. I bought a bottle last year and it is saltier than I remember, in a good way. Additionally the whisky can become quite sweet and nutty. I really am partial to the CS 10 Batch 003. The peat in the Laphroaig is certainly more ashy and medicinal than some of the Islay malts, even astringent, which I have also noticed in the 10 year old I have tried. However, be this as it may, I am posting my review for the record: I feel that QC is over-rated as a scotch and this fad with pass with time, which tends to even out the kinks, so to speak. Many before have already explained the origin and defintion behind the "quarter cask" entitlement, which is quite obvious to the journeyed whisky afficionado. Its wonderful. Intense, chewy. Oak at the death. Malt whisky /whiskey is usually made from barley, which has a particularly affinity with the malting process, and was also the most easily available grain during the development of the Rate 1815 Laphroaig Quarter Cask Double Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky. QC is the best non expensive Laph right now. We glared at each other from across a barren lamp-lit table - a tentative neophyte and a monolith of phenolic devastation, whose insidiousness lay cloaked behind a charming emerald facade. (And Islay in general). It would be that there is a fixed recipe for these bottlings that they stick too, more likely there is a lot more variation and the blender decides if it is ready, if necessary adding younger or older casks into the mix. Finish: Medium length with more bitter oak, leathery aged cigar wrapper, dried cherries, and prunes. I decided to write this review for the sake of a discussion we had earlier this week about the Quarter Cask. Laphroaig has ruined all other drinks for me; drink with caution. Being new to 'tasting' as well, did you allow the water and whisky to marry for awhile in the glass or did you notice a difference right away? Its a pretty unique technique in whisky, but I will not go into detail as so much has been written about it elsewhere.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'insearchofelegance_net-box-3','ezslot_4',113,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-insearchofelegance_net-box-3-0')}; Nose: Tarry smoke here, there, and everywhere. For peat lovers, I strongly recommend it. For those who doesn't know, the quarter casks are smaller casks (who didn't get that!) This bottle fell off in a bad way at the end of 2 years. The palate is medium-bodied and surprisingly creamy. Free shipping from CHF 200 2 days with VinoLog Swiss Post. UK: Scotland, Laphroaig Quarter Cask Double Cask Matured Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Islay, Scotland - 700ml, USA: (CA) Has it gotten younger? Indeed when I mentioned the 'slap-in-your-face bottlings' I was mainly thinking of the 10yo CS that I find really aggressive and imposing (I love it!). After tasting I note that the whisky is still imbued within my olfactory for a long period of time, I'm delighted that it lingers after a sip so the experience is everlasting. Many more defined aromas at this point. It is a long finish with large peat embers burning brightly all the way. Lots of green notes, which complement the mustiness: pine, herbal, menthol. First nose of this dram reveals quite a lot. In the mouth those flavours continue, a warm oily body and a smokiness but balanced with a sweetness that smooths out the edges. Newport, Laphroaig Quarter Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml, United Kingdom, Scotland, Islay, USA: (CA) That was as strong as it got, as I had literally given away all my Islay malts to a good friend. This review might be a bit long-winded, so please forgive me. The balans between the sweetness and the salt are almost perfect. The taste is warm, full and mouth-watering - starts smoky, with notes of sea salt and iodine, and moves beautifully into a toffee sweetness with a hint of spice. 2 days back I did a taste comparison of the two and everyone present agreed that the CS came out as a clear winner. As far as Laphroaig is concerned I have three Cask Strengths (Batches 3,4 & 5). Monday - Friday, order before 22:00 next day in house Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Im not sure why but its my opinion. Balance, Complexity: Very nice balance of peat and smoke, salt and sweet.