Laphroaig Select is an Islay Single Malt Scotch, and is the next review we have for you all. Let’s jump right into it!
The Laphroaig select is a made from specially selected casks of each of the key styles that Laphroaig produces, and they claim the heart of the spirit comes from the final maturation in new American Oak Casks. 6 months of the aging process takes place in the highest and warmest parts of the rackhouse during the Scottish Summer.
Let’s jump in. Starting with the nose, Angela had a terrific analogy, the nose is reminiscent of a campfire. There is a lot of peat and smoke, there is also some light wood notes, and a hint of sweetness. There is a hint of sea salt/brine, but very light.
The palate is a lot lighter than the nose would lead you to believe. It is very inviting off the get go, easy and light but moves into a very large mid palate that is full of peat moss and smokey flavors. Underneath those flavors, you can pick up hints of the oak, with a little bit of sweetness, vanilla, and dried dark fruit. That leads into the finish, which carries the smoke from the mid palate, with some hints of oak and sherry sweetness. The sip grows from a very light start to a full bodied and complex mid palate, which gives into a short finish.
As always, we added a touch of water to the sip. As scotch is known to do, the water actually detracts from the flavors and nose. The sip opens with a little more malt barley flavor, the smoke and peat still are the focus, but a little more oak, vanilla, sherry and sweetness come through.
For the ratings on this one, Angela gave it a 90/100, and Zach gives it an 85/100. Overall, earns an 88/100, a delicious scotch especially for the price. The whisky is smooth, and full of the great flavors, and is a great deal for the price, sitting on shelves under $60. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy the more smokey and peaty Islay style of Scotch.
