Laphroaig Quarter-Cask (ABV: 48%)


This is a bit of a different review for me, as it was at a restaurant. I went for steak and decided to glance the bar while waiting - they had an unopened bottle of Laphroaig QC on the shelf. I asked how much, $6 for a single, $9 for a double. That sealed the deal, as I had not tried any Laphroaig malts before. I tried to nose/taste as much as I could before I started eating my steak (Baseball cut sirloin, med. rare, for those who care ) and it affected the taste. The smokey qualities of the whisky and the charred seasoned crust of the steak worked very well together.

• Colour: Light Straw? (Light was really bad, none of my pics really turned out)
• Nose: Smoke, Brine, Iodine, Mossy Logs, Damp, there is a lot going on here.
• Body: Thin and pleasent, expected it to be a little heavier at 48% - but not complaining.
• Palate: Peat, Smoked Honey (is that a thing?), liquorice, did I mention Peat?
• Finish: PEPPER->SMOKE->MORE PEPPER->Soft Lingering smoke, it is really nice - doesn't overstay it's welcome.
• Summary: I really like this, it is very robust, when the server was carrying it over I started nosing it from like 1 meter away. The flavors are intense and complex. I had worried that I would find the medicinal qualities of Laphroaig overwhelming, and there was a part of my brain that said "ACK! Don't drink that", but I didn't listen and that makes me glad. That being said, it is a lot of iodine to handle and it throws off the balance for me a bit, but just a bit. I would still pick the Lagavuilin 16 over this anyday because of the balance between smoke/peat/iodine being more to my liking, but it was a quality dram and I will be picking up a bottle or two.
• Score: 91/100