I thought to start my review of whiskies’ section with the whisky that started it all for me, the Laphroaig 10yo
Whisky: Laphroaig 10, 43% ABV (Cost around R500)
Region: Islay, Scotland
Style: Single Malt
Age: 10 Years
Laphroaig, pronounced “La-froyg”, is a Gaelic word meaning “the beautiful hollow by the broad bay”. A very characteristic Islay dram. Laphroaig has been the only whisky to carry the Royal Warrant of the Prince of Wales. It was awarded in person during a visit to the distillery in 1994.
Colour: Sparkling burnished gold
Nose: Oodles of camp fire and smoke, sea weedy and salty sea air (harbour and fishing nets), spices, medicinal with a lovely back hint of caramel sweetness. Despite all the smoke on the nose it is a very clean nose – cool clean smoke.
Palate: Loads of smoke and peat with hints of sweetness, sea salt and seaweed (fishing nets again), oak wood, has a spiciness (black pepper) and richness about it
Body: Full bodied, gorgeous thick and slow legs with an explosion of peat when you swallow.
Finish: Gorgeous with long and lingering savoury smokiness. Very satisfying.
Overall: For me an undeniably wonderful dram. It has enormous smoke and peat, manages a hint of sweetness and yet also has a cleanness and delicateness about it. This is an either you love it or hate it kind of dram, there is no middle ground. For me – I absolutely love it.
My Score: 89
The Smoky Dram 