Whisky Forum - Well I love Laphroaig 10 now what?

Texas T

This is only my 4th bottle of Scotch to buy. I had tried some Scotch, that a friend brought over several years ago, and can't remember what it was. I know it was very smokey, and peaty. I really liked it, but didn't have the money at the time. I started off trying Macallan 15 & 18, and Glenlivet 18. I liked all of them, but they were a little on th sweet side. Anyway we live in a smaller city so there wasn't a big selection of Scotch so I took the time to read every description label in there, and the Laphroaig 10 seemed to be what I was looking for. The 10 year was the only Laphroaig they had. It was only $50??? I was a little nervous about that, but figured I'd give it a shot. I am so glad I did. This is the cheapest youngest Scotch I've tried, but is by far my favorite. Now for my question. I've been reading the description of the different Laphroaigs, and it seems like the longer it's aged the less emphasis on peat and smoke in the description? Is that true? What would ya'll suggest I try next? And should I keep a bottle of 10 yr on hand while I try others? I mean I liked the other Scotch I've tried, but I loved this one. I really like the peaty smokey flavor.

GBrough · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:56 am Post subject:

I love islay, and in my opinion if you love the 10 try the cask strength or quarter cask. Other Islay's whiskies to try inclue Ardbeg 10, and Lagavulin 16.

Ledaig 10 has a more balanced peat flavor to it.
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The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

Big Mac · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 3:08 am Post subject:

Welcome to the SMW forum Texas T

You are certainly in the right place for some good suggestions that wont break the bank and there is a lot of combined knowledge amongst the members here to point you at a few whiskies you may not have tried.

What you have read is correct, peat & smoke does mellow with the years spent maturing in the barrrel so younger whisky will have more intense peaty smoky notes. As you liked the Laphroaig 10 so much I will 2nd GBrough's suggestion of the Laphroaig Quarter Cask, a must try whisky and should be priced around the same as the 10 year old. The Laphroaig Quarter Cask is bottled at 48% which adds to the flavour as it isnt as diluted and it is a young whisky, i believe it conatins 5 to 8 year old Laphroaig and as the name tells you it spent time maturing in small quarter casks which gave it more contact with the oak, so it had the advantage of more oak influence without losing so much of its youthful peatiness. Away from the Isle of Islay i would suggest Talisker 10.

Other distilleries you will probably like are Ardbeg and Lagavulin, these tend to be more expensive than Laphroaig but well worth a try. Ardbeg 10 and Lagaulin 16 are superb. You may also like Bowmore 12 or a little milder with the peat but no less quality Caol ila 12.

GBrough · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 4:23 am Post subject:

I second Talisker 10 or any of the Talisker line, except the storm i have heard it is not as peaty. Go for the Bowmore if you get the chance, it is a budget islay compared to the Ardbeg and Lagavulin, the Caol Ila 12 is expensive but excellent.
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The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

drPete · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 7:49 am Post subject:

Quater cask for sure, IMHO best of the baseline laffys.
Tali 18 when you are ready for a new favourite ...
Wink

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Talisker 18 - the rest are just details

bifter · Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:17 am Post subject:

Also worth considering some releases from Port Charlotte and Caol Ila, both Islay whiskies that won't break the bank and Kilchoman and Longrow, which can be a bit pricier.
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"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

Bookie · Master Of Malts Joined: 15 Sep 2008 Posts: 945

Away from the big bold peaty Islay whisky i would suggest Highland Park 12, it has a gentle touch of peat along with a heather honey sweetness but not at all overly sweet. Have you tried the Dalwhinnie 15 again heather honey sweetness but not all overly sweet, vanilla and some citrus fruit flavours and just a touch of smoke.

oscarswanson · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:22 am Post subject:

All of the above are good.
I would choose:
Ardbeg - Corryvreckan (very powerful) or Uigeadail both rated very high by most.
And remember you can find places to buy on line that have very good service and prices. The lack of tax sometimes offsets the cost of shipping.
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TUN 1401 batches 3,6,9.

Texas T · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:28 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the advice everybody. If ya'll think of anything else before Friday let me know. I'm just going to take my phone with me to the store, and start looking for whatever ya'll have suggested. My plan for now is to see what I can find locally up to $200 or so, then start ordering online. I'm not ready to spend more than that until I've tasted all I can for less. I mean within reason. I saw a bunch of bottles that were $25-$30, but I don't think I'm gonna mess with those. It seems like I can spend the next year or two trying good scotch that's under the $200 mark. Like I said my favorite bottle has been the cheapest bottle so far. Eventually I'd like to spend more every couple months or so, but I want to find a couple more bottles to keep on hand first.

GBrough · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 3:46 am Post subject:

Last recommendation Laphroaig 18 or Bunnahabhain 18, the bunna is practically unpeated but delicious all the same. I have been eyeing Laphroaig 18 for quite a while.
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The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

Texas T · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:52 am Post subject:

albo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Mar 2011 Posts: 1888

There is a link on the left of this form "independent bottlers" which has loads of useful info as a starting point

GBrough · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 12:57 pm Post subject:

Independent bottlings can be amazing, I am on a waitlist for Bunna 21 year old bottled by a KLwines independent bottling company.
_________________
The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

opelfruit · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2014 10:17 am Post subject:

Please also bare in mind that Indies tend to bottle single casks or small vattings, so any cask issues are much more apparent.

Going Indie is like play russian roulette, I've had as many duff bottlings as I have had outstanding bottlines, the gain is often higher (some bottlings are truely magnificant) but the losses are equally as bad (a few bottles down the sink).

Bunna's can be more so impacted by this as they went through a stage of having some really poor sherry casks, they often find themselves popping up in Indie runs for older bottlings and I've had some very very poor bottles in the past Sad

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"Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whisky is barely enough."