Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish Review

Distilled and bottled by Laphroaig

Region: Islay

Type: Single Malt

ABV: 48%

Age: 10yrs

Color: e150

This special release was initially matured in ex-bourbon casks before being finishing in sherry oak barrels for about a year. Bottled in 2020, this was released in the US in early 2021.

The bottle and tube make no mention of chill filtration or added coloring, but I believe the liquid has added caramel coloring.

Tasting Notes

Nose: This is initially all Laphroaig 10yr on the nose: freshly scrawled magic marker, menthol cigarette smoke and scads of medicinal character. But give it some time and a rich, sweet caramel note develops some sweetness to balance the peat notes.

Palate: The mouthfeel has a pleasant weight with some bittersweet grapefruit and dark chocolate that transitions to dried seaweed and more smoke.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish is loaded with spicy pepper and rich tobacco notes as well as some wood tannins before returning to the standard medicinal and smoky character that is undeniably Laphroaig.

Rating: 7/10, Very Good

Conclusion: I appreciate a special release from one of the big Islay distilleries that comes with an age statement, respectable ABV and a reasonable price point. Although it is high time for Laphroaig to abandon the practice of coloring their whisky, I continue to enjoy their bottlings and this one is no different.

Laphroaig’s standard flavor profile is a bully and certainly takes center stage with this whisky, but there’s still room for the sherry casks to have a supporting role, I like the interplay here of aggressively medicinal Laphroaig notes as they interact with some rich caramel, dark chocolate and tobacco notes.

It just works for me. Overall, I found this to be a very good whisky at a good price.