Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Description

Laphroaig Quarter Cask, this Islay single malt whiskey takes its inspiration from the small casks often used for Scotch Whisky maturation in the 19th century. Laphroaig Quarter Cask was released in 2004, and this bottling was aged for around five years before being finished in a quarter cask for several months, the size of the cask is quite small, thus does not require such a long maturation.

The smaller cask means it has 30% more contact with the wood, which helps it mature more quickly. And gives it a deeper, woodier and more complex flavor and aroma than is normally found in a 5-6 year old scotch. The inspiration for this unique approach, in case you were wondering, did not come from the growing practice of small barrel maturing in craft distillers. It came from the past. 200 years ago these small casks are how farmers and bootleggers were able to easily transport, and hide, their casks of whisky.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Oily and buttery nose, with toffee, nuttiness, hickory, bicarbonate of soda, rum and raisin ice cream and zest.  A warm soft peat lolls out of the glass followed by vanilla, wood and some smoked meat. There is a slight graininess to it that mixes with a bit of salt, dark fruit and bruleed sugar.

Palate: Big rush of sweetness, in fact it’s an explosion of sweetness, with fiery chilli heat, TCP, sweet cereals and a touch of cola syrup.  Here the smoke is even more pronounced than with the aroma. It’s accompanied by a surge of iodine, salt and wood that surge over the palate and pave the way for notes of raw sugar, malt, dark fruit and a hint of citrus. There is a slight astringency running beneath, but it acts more like punctuation than a distraction.

Finish: Long finish filled with malt, smoke, a silky sweetness and a dark earthiness that fades to smoky wood.

Awards for Laphroaig Quarter Cask