Laphroaig Triple Wood
48% ABV - Islay, Scotland
Nose: Upfront peat—it is Laphroaig!—followed by spices, fruits, burned orange, cherry, nectarine, and… some stretch notes of strawberry and menthol or anise.
Taste: The flavours here bring medicinal peat with a strong fruit compote of plum, cherry, and other ripe orchard fruit. Wet, charred oak, and a tang from citrus or black currant.
Finish: The medicinal character stays but it is augmented with lighter ash. Slightly drying and fading fruits.
Laphroaig Triple Wood is first aged in ex-Bourbon casks, then transferred to Quarter Casks—accelerating the liquid–wood interactions—and finally spending an undisclosed amount of time in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks.
This is quite a sweet Laphroaig but it still has a strong backbone of its medicinal peat character. I’m surprised how long it took me to pick up this core range bottling—about 6 years into my whisky journey! I have become an instant fan and hope it sticks around for a while. I’ve read some unfounded suggestions that it is to be discontinued soon. Hope not!
Tonight I am drinking side-by-side the 10-Year Sherry Oak Finish, and writing this review first, so be sure to read that afterward.
Tasting Notes (Official): Nose: Sweet raisins and creamy apricots, nuttiness, bonfire ash and earthy peat. Body: Powerful, yet with a creamy consistency. Finish: Mouth-filling and extremely long, balanced by a sweet smooth caramel taste. Palate: Creamy flavours of vanilla and fruit, with a suggestion of sherry sweetness
Tasted 28 July 2021. (Posted 17 October 2021.)
