Laphroaig Select is an entry-level whisky expression with no age statement from the Laphroaig distillery. It tries to marry the sweet & spicy oak notes to the classic peaty, smoky taste. This Islay single malt is made from spirits of 5 different casks, some of which are atypical for scotch whiskeys such as new American oak. The result is a toned-down version of the classic Laphroaig 10, making it great for the uninitiated to peated whisky, but may disappoint the Laphroaig old guard who’d expect the punch-to-the-face, smokey flavor.

Laphroaig Select Basics

• Whisky Type: Single Malt
• Country: Scotland
• Scotch Whisky Region: Islay
• ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 40%
• Casks:
  1. Oloroso Sherry Butts
  2. New White American Oak
  3. Pedro Ximenez Seasoned Hoggies
  4. Quarter Casks
  5. First Fill Bourbon Casks
• Distillery/ Place of Origin: The Laphroaig Distillery
• Master Distiller: John Campbell
• Notable Awards & Recognition:
  • Gold – 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Awards
  • Silver – 2019 International Spirits Challenge
  • Bronze – 2019 SIP Awards
• Price Range: $45 (Approximately)

The Story Behind Laphroaig Select

Traditionally Scotch whiskeys would use European oak casks for whisky maturation which gives a spicier finish to the whisky. However, Ian Hunter, the last of the Johnston family to own and manage the Laphroaig distillery traveled to Kentucky, America to understand how bourbon was made. Bourbon is typically matured in white American oak casks which is noticeably sweeter compared to European oak. With this newfound knowledge, he started developing a liking for whiskeys matured in a combination of both European and American Bourbon oak. John Campbell, the master distiller at Laphroaig, developed Laphroaig Select as a tribute to Ian Hunter and his whisky affinity.

To bring about the influence of European and Bourbon oaks that Ian Hunter loved, Laphroaig Select uses quite a ‘Selection’ of casks including Oloroso Sherry, Pedro Ximenez (PX), and White American Oak. And since Laphroaig Select primarily differentiates itself based on the cask usage, it is important for us to understand the different casks used and how they influence the whisky

Laphroaig Select Casks & Maturation

Oloroso Sherry Butts

This is one of the most common types of casks used in whisky maturation. Oloroso Sherry butts helps provide a deeper colour and subtle aromas for of nutty fruitcake.

Pedro Ximenez Casks (PX Cask)

This is yet another sherry cask, used to store and mature Pedro Ximenez sherry. Pedro Ximenez has its origins in the southern regions of Spain. It is a sweet dessert wine and very dark in colour and hence the cask, when used for whisky maturation adds dark brown colour with sweetness of dried fruits and raisins to the palate.

New White American Oak

The scientific name for white American oak is Quercus Alba. This cask is very popular in spirit distillation and imparts vanilla sweetness on the palate and also makes the texture creamier and thicker.

First Fill Bourbon Casks

First fill vs. refill casks has different effects on the whisky in terms of taste and time of maturation. As the cask is young, fresh, and active, the whisky will mature faster compared to older casks. In terms of impact on the palate, the sweetness from the bourbon gets mixed well with the woodiness coming from the fresh wood.

Quarter Casks

Quarter casks are smaller casks used for spirit maturation. Because of the size, there is a higher contact of the spirit with the cask walls making the flavors sharper and mature faster.

As we can see the series of casks used in Laphroaig Select have the potential to brew a whisky that is complex and layered. But we won’t know until we give it a whiff and a sip. Let’s get into the whisky’s taste and smell.

Laphroaig Select Nose

There is no denying the presence of smoke coming from the peat. In fact, in the beginning, it is very dominating. Once you cut through the smoke, you will find hints of chocolate, vanilla, and hint citruses like lime or lemon. The sweetness is well-rounded upon the core medicinal, briny, smokey values of Laphroaig. Key notes on the nose would be:

• Peat
• Smoke
• Damp Forest, Damp Burned Log
• Hospital Medicine Room
• Chocolaty
• Vanilla/ Butter Scotch
• Lemon
• Spices

Laphroaig Select Palate

The peated smokiness is subdued if you compare it with the other entry-level Laphroaig expressions such as the Laphroaig 10, but it still is the dominant flavor. The complexity of the palate comes from brighter notes of ripe fruits, lemons, baked desserts, and spicy dryness. The key notes on the palate would be:

• Peaty
• Ashy
• Lemons
• Green Apples
• Mint
• Fennel
• Crème Brûlée (Extra Char on Top)

Conclusion

At the price range of around $45, Laphroaig Select brings adequately complex layers of flavor to the already revered and loved maritime values that lie at the heart of Laphroaig. While the peat is a bit more laid back and taking it easy, the selection of casks introduces new sweet, freshness to the palate. If you are new to and trying to explore smokey Islay whiskeys, this one just might be your ticket in.