Laphroaig 10 Year Old Original Cask Strength - Batch 006 Review

Laphroaig is deserving of the scotch cult following. Some hate Laphroaig, some like Laphroaig on occasion, and others love Laphroaig whisky. For those in the latter category, this cask strength variation of Laphroaig 10 is for you.

Like all (most) Laphroaig's, it's an intense peat monster. The addition of this whisky being at cask strength means it wasn't watered down at the distillery. It's pure Laphroaig, without any tempered notes. While it's boozy (58% ABV), the predominant flavor isn't the alcohol but rather the peppery spice that attacks the palate. This isn't the Laphroaig to start your distillery experience with.

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Original Cask Strength - Batch 006, Bottled Feb 2014 58% ABV
Laphroaig Distillery
Category: Scotch, 10 Year Old, Cask Strength, Peated
Score: 91

Nose: Smoky iodine mixed with lovely caramel, and banana. It's bananas foster with a spray of freshly squeezed lemon. Otherwise, it's surprisingly quiet.

Palate: A nice balancing act of peppery spice, caramel, and smokiness that works beautifully. The char notes are wonderful, and the acidity hits the palate, evenly mixed with the peppery, buttery, caramel finish. This whisky is a little tight on flavor, it doesn't quite spread its wings unless you add a touch of water. The peppery oak spice might be heavy for some. There's no rest for the palate with this cask strength peated scotch.

Whisky Cabinet Rating: ★ ★ ☆ ☆  Your great regular rotation whisky that'll come and go
The nose is quiet compared to the intense palate. The flavors are a wonderful balancing act with the appropriate theatrics that have the audience holding their breath and wondering if the entertainer will make it across to the other side. It's a beautiful whisky that delivers on the promise of cask strength single malt flavors. It's not a good whisky for non-Laphroaig scotch drinkers. You need to love Laphroaig to love this intense cask strength variation.

*Whisky Cabinet Rating takes account price and availability:
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆  Not recommended
★ ☆ ☆ ☆  Good whisky, but not a ‘must-have’
★ ★ ☆ ☆  Your great regular rotation whisky that'll come and go
★ ★ ★ ☆  Excellent, a near must-have
★ ★ ★ ★  Extraordinary, memorable, and original