Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"...peat and sherry oak create a remarkably subtle, yet delightfully complex effect." - whiskyadvocate.com

Sherry and peat can be a challenging equation. If the wine influence is overdone, the phenols can almost be cancelled out. Some distilleries manage to get the balance right, creating a new and interesting take on much-loved classics. Released around 2021 in the UK but not generally available in Australia, Laphroaig's Sherry Oak Finish offers a noteworthy upgrade to the standard 40% 10 year old. A higher ABV with Oloroso casks in support means besides Laphroaig's expected smoke, seaweed and salt, you'll get notes of manuka honey, dark chocolate, bacon and maple syrup adding further interest. At the time of writing, we have one shipment only at this special pricing, just in time for Winter! The whisky is probably lightly filtered, but it's not stated on the label. 48% Alc./Vol. Very limited stocks.

Other reviews... The nose is earthy and spicy with mature oak, aged peat, melted caramel, potpourri, sherry, candle wax, musty old library, and wool-filled closet. On the palate it’s rich and concentrated, creamy and thick, with chocolate cake and warm chocolate syrup, burnt coffee beans, cooked dark fruits, and medicinal notes, with a great touch of peated sweetness at the end. The peat and sherry oak create a remarkably subtle, yet delightfully complex effect. 92 points - whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: David Fleming 2021

...This one seems to have arrived somewhat under the radar, but I must confess to being more than a little excited. Colour: coppery amber. Nose: it's true that modern sherry and peat can be a tricky thing to get right but I think this is smart. Oily phenolics, natural tar, syrupy sweet peat smoke, black pepper, game meats, Maggi seasoning, umami paste - even a little camphor and iodine. It feels well integrated and concentrated so far. Mouth: there's a little nibble of spicy oak, but then cigars, game meats, BBQ smoke, wood embers and lots of charred and spiced meaty notes. Globally though it remains clean with a firm and peppery peat flavour. The ABV is pretty spot on in terms of mouthfeel I think. Big, boisterous modern stuff, but very good. Finish: good length, on dry earthiness, black pepper, more charred and smoked meats, tar and chunky phenolics. Comments: We're a far cry from the sherried Laphroaigs of old, but this is quite a smart drop and I think the balance has been well struck. The price is also fair as well I think. Quaffing juice for the ferry to Islay, beachside bonfires, highballs etc… Now, can we please have the standard 10yo at this strength? 86 points - whiskyfun.com

Double Gold - Single Malt Scotch - to 12 Yrs - 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Gold - Distillers' Single Malts 12 years and under - 2022, International Spirits Challenge