Laphroaig Oak Select

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 40% | Chill filtration: No | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Laphroaig Oak Select combines whiskies matured in different casks before a final finish in new American oak. The selection includes Oloroso sherry butts, first-fill ex-bourbon quarter casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry hogsheads and traditional ex-bourbon casks. Together with the new American oak casks, these make up five cask groups. Maturation does not therefore involve passing successively through all five groups: whiskies with different cask influences are first married, then finished.

At 40% alcohol, this official distillery bottling combines Laphroaig’s peaty, maritime character with a softer, sweeter and fruitier side. Medicinal peat smoke and seaweed remain distinct, balanced by red fruit and the floral finish. The whisky is offered without added colouring and without chill filtration.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Peat smoke comes forward first on the nose, followed shortly afterwards by ripe red fruit.
• Palate: The palate opens sweetly before peat smoke and hints of ash and seaweed follow.
• Finish: The long finish remains floral, with a hint of marzipan and lime.

Distillery/Bottler:

Brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston founded Laphroaig Distillery on Islay’s southern coast in 1815. The distillery sits directly beside the sea and draws water from the nearby Kilbride Stream. Barley is turned by hand on its own malting floors. Islay peat is burned at low temperatures so that its smoke flavours the malt without scorching it. The original peat kilns remain in operation, and Laphroaig now has seven stills. Oak Select is an official distillery bottling.

Facts: