I was kind of happy to hear about this since I like Laphroaig a lot and a cheaper version sounded nice. Then the reviews came in and I wasn’t as keen on it any longer. I held off on a bottle and ordered a sample when I saw one available. So, how did it hold up?
Minutia: Spirit taken from what would go into Quarter Cask, PX Cask, Triple Wood, and the standard 10, it marries in virgin American oak casks.
Color: Deep gold, 0.8.
Nose: Briny sea smoke, tea, citrus, medicinal.
Taste: Light smoke, herbal, apple.
Finish: Iodiney smoke, oak, spice. Fairly short.
Unusual for 40%ers for me, the finish brought this up slightly. Though it disappears fairly quickly, it does offer nice flavors. While this is far from spectacular, it’s not quite the disaster I’ve seen people make it out to be, objectively speaking. When we’re talking about price, it gets closer. Near me, one store has the 10 priced at $55 and Select at $45. That’s far too close to ever choose this over the 10. Priced at or below $30 (where I think this belongs), it’s an easier decision to buy this if you have to restrict your budget. This seems to me like a very good option in those bottom shelf, budget style single malts, but it’s priced on the lower end of the tier just above budget and that’s a problem. Laphroaig’s website has it priced between 20 and 30 euros, and I think that’s a good price for this.
Score: 80
Musical Evocation: Dethklok – “Duncan Hills Coffee Jingle”
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