Laphroaig Triple Wood Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)
Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product not pictured.
This unusual Laphroaig has gone through a triple maturation - firstly in American oak, ex-bourbon barrels, before being transferred into smaller '19th century style' casks for a second period. These 'Quarter Casks' +/- 120 litres were originally used to transport whisky on horseback. They were easier to conceal from the excise men, but also speed up maturation. European oak x-Oloroso sherry casks conclude the triptych. Expect lots of fruit cake flavours, glazed with Laphroaig's classic smoke.
Other reviews... This is the first time I’ve been up for reviews here so I had a game plan: play it cool, mark tightly, let everyone know I’m hard to please. Then they gave me this, the whisky equivalent to front row tickets to Neil Young on his current Twisted Road tour: not just a chance to get up close and personal with an old favorite, but to do so with an old favorite who’s on fire. Laphroaig’s owners are intent on ensuring a big peaty engine for any new release, but this is a monster by anyone’s standards. It’s essentially Quarter Cask finished in oloroso sherry casks, so in addition to the intense charcoal smoke attack there are rich fruity notes; blackcurrant and berries. It’s an evening barbecue whisky. Grill that fish until it’s blackened and crispy, drizzle on lemon, and as the smoke rears up in protest, sip this. Big, moody, broody, fruity, and rich: what’s not to love? 94 points
– Dominic Roskrow, whiskyadvocate.com Vol. 19, #3
...Bright amber color. Layered aromas and flavors of cigar ash, honeyed roasted nuts and grains, fruity pepper jelly and iodine with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a lingering peppery, smoky peat moss accented finish. A must for cigars. 48% Alc./Vol. International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
RATING: 92 points (Exceptional) - tastings.com
When I first tried the Triple Wood, in 2009, I had thought the idea was terrible. But I found out that the whisky was rather excellent (WF 86). Now I haven't tried it since… And it was a different livery – and a 1l bottle. Of course it would be better with an age statement, but at least we have the vintage in large letters. That's 1815, right? Colour: amber orange. Nose: we said lapsang souchong to the max, well this has even more of that, plus touches of cedarwood and ginger, as well as a little sherry. Simple but pretty lovely. Mouth: modern, a tad woody and too spicy/sour (green pepper) but otherwise pleasant indeed, with a lot of green wood spices, stuff ending with -ol, menthol indeed, resinous wood… I'm reminded of the first Mackmyras from Sweden, I do not know why. Finish: long, saltier and tarrier. The woody oiliness remains there in the back. Comments: a very fine, very modern wood-driven Laphroaig. In fact all this fresh oak and the huge smoke do combine pretty well, but do not leave much room for any other flavours. 85 points - whiskyfun.com
Gold - Single Malt Scotch - to 12 Years - 2013 San Francisco World Spirits Competition