Laphroaig Four Oak

When your coworker says their father bought this bottle during his travels, took one sip, didn't like it, and then proceeds to offer you the rest of the bottle for free, you simply don't say no. Already liking Laphroaig to begin with, I'm excited to taste the development from the 4 different oaks used, and am wondering what there's not to like here. Knowing that this will still have classic Laphroaig notes of brine and peat, based on the packaging, I'm to expect buttery, creamy, sweet notes that come from the oak in addition to the base profile. As long as this is the case, we should be able to put this liter bottle to good use. The color is between straw and gold, but is ultimately very light and quite translucent. The nose, not surprisingly, leads with a salty, peaty brine that's familiar, but also introduces small notes of vanilla and stewed mixed berries. Not a whole lot of complexity or depth here, and is even a bit watery overall, but still embodies classic Laphroaig so far. The initial body is extremely light as far as ethanol or any burn is concerned, but the peat and some sea spray start to creep in over time. The malty character is both slightly sour and dry at the same time, and although there is some vanilla here somewhere, it's lost and struggles to bring any much needed sweetness. I keep going back with repeated sips, but the body just isn't where it needs to be, and there isn't enough added here to be expected from 4 different oak usages that are all supposed to have different flavor profiles. So, I can certainly see the disappointment in this, and wouldn't want to have to travel globally just to have a chance to buy it, but it sure as hell is good enough to be free. However, I find myself preferring Laphroaig 10 year over this variant, enough to the point that if both were on the shelf, I can't think of a reason I would reach for this one. Still, it has a nice peated body and can get the job done if you wanted that smoky flavor without it sticking to you quite as much as some stronger variants. The packaging suggests using water or ice to bring out a "smooth buttercream flavour and tangy, liquorice finish," and although this sounds exciting, my expectations will remain low throughout.

Laphroaig is doing some great whiskies lately. Well, they have always made great whiskies to be fair. This one is no exception, and it is really, really enjoyable. This "four oak" expression is matured in... well... four types of oak barrels: ex-bourbon barrels, quarter casks, virgin american oak and european oak hogsheads. The result was a very easy drinkable Laphroaig (if that such thing ever exists). Bottled at 40%abv (that is rare for a laphroaig) with an amber color. Well, on the nose it is what you expect from this distillery: some earthy peat, fresh can of tennis balls, dirt, heather, a lot of nice smelling oak, seaweed, burnt plastic, sawdust and... Ok, maybe this is embarrasing but this one has an aroma of the rubber from the head of a He-Man toy. If you ever had one, you will know what i am talking about. It is that exact aroma. Actually pretty interesting. On the palate is just delicious. Starts super powerful for a 40%abv whisky, smoke puffs, ashes, cigarrettes and some incredibly sweet toffee note. Actually the balance on this flavors in the palate was amazing. Its sweet but peaty. But not everything was gold. Aftertaste is very, very short :( The aftertaste notes are pepper, bonfire and ashes. But it is way too short to get this whisky a remarkable score. Overall i give it an 88 over 100 and i think this is super enjoyable and highly recommendable. Slainte!

smokey, iodine, medicinal, high pep, dry, complex, waxy, chemical, 1.5 mid delicate, thick and smokey, mid pep, bitterness, oaky and meaty, herby, medicinal, after taste is a little bland 3 high sustained, peaty, smokey 2.5 2.5 fouroaks oaky woody smoke mid pep, medicinal, 2.5 bitterness thin, delicate, oaky, smokey and meaty but you get very little complexity 2 mid sustained, peaty sweetness 2.5 2.25 Four Oak 20210704 smokey mid pep, oaky, pear apple sweetness creamy dryness 2.75 thin, oaky, bitterness, medicinal, herbal high pep, one dimensional and delicate and smokey 2.25 oaky high sustain, peaty, 2.5 2.5 only if it is cheap - otherwise 2.25 Undil Nose. Very Fiery peppery hits you hard. Saltiness. Peatiness. Vanilla and caramel comes in after the first four whiffs. Palate. Very light on the palate, which is a pleasant surprise. Surprisingly since the nosing was intense. Almost feels like it’s been in the cask for a while. Feels the burn on the back of the throat. The flavour is light Finish. Nice mashmellow peatiness that lingers for a long finish. Caramel taste at the end. Personally, go for the finish because it makes it all worthwhile. 4

Another NAS Laphroaig. This is an interesting one that I suspect will divide opinion. First off, it still has the typical TCP, medicinal taste up front, but this time it’s all about the smoke. There’s a lot of character in the smoke, but it’s not as oily and full-bodied as you’d tend to expect from a Laphroaig. I’m mostly getting a vanilla and toast, with a hint of some citrus and salt, but that’s about it. The aftertaste doesn’t last long. What there is is really just more of the ashiness, with a bare hint of salt and vanilla. It does taste young and a little ashy, but it is still an enjoyable dram. It’s lighter than many Islay and pretty unassuming. It’s not bad, but I’d generally pick up a standard 10y/o before this one.

LAPHROAIG FOUR OAK (2017 - 305) Bottling Code: L7305YB1 Bottle opened: 3 weeks Final Review date: 26-6-20 N: Immediate smell of Earthy Peat, Wood Pellets, Ash, Salted Caramel, Sea-Air, Grass, Pine, Potpourri, and Peppery Spice. Honey and Vanilla Sweetness. On top of this, there is Citrus (Lemon). Oddly Calamine Lotion. (9/10) P: Thin and Watery. Sweet Peat and Chili Heat. Wood, Lemon, Salted Caramel, Ash, and Grass. Gets mildly Creamy with a hint of Vanilla. (8/10) F: Peat Smoke with Citrus, Hot Spice, Vanilla, Ash, and Salt. Medium-long and Dry. (9/10) There is quite a lot of complexity, but little sophistication. Rates higher than QC in my book though.

LAPHROAIG - FOUR OAK Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml) 它由在四種類型的桶中陳釀的烈酒製成，是一種複雜而濃郁的酒。 Spirit 是從前波本桶、小四分之一桶和大歐洲橡木桶中手工挑選出來的。 該混合物的獨特添加物是在美國原始橡木桶中陳釀的威士忌。 作為蘇格蘭威士忌的一項新創新，新橡木為這款非凡的泥煤艾萊島單一麥芽威士忌增添了濃郁的香草香氣。 這與燉水果的味道和明顯的藥用煙熏味相得益彰，使拉弗格如此獨特。 按原樣食用，或加入幾塊冰塊。 在四種不同類型的橡木桶中陳釀以獲得更深的風味。泥炭煙、燉水果和烤香草的味道。部分在新的美國橡木桶中陳釀，很少用於蘇格蘭威士忌生產。19 世紀風格的四分之一桶賦予天鵝絨般的質感。 桶型：Ex-bourbon, quarter casks, new American oak and European oak hogsheads 容量：1000ml 酒精濃度：40% Vol Nose 香氣：Aromas of peat smoke with stewed fruit and warm, toasted vanilla. Palate 口感：Hints of sandalwood, pine, fir and willow, experience oak embers and seaweed with smooth buttercream. Finish 回味：Salted liquorice and peaty.