Laphroaig Triple Wood

I have no idea what Laphroaig’s current core range. Whatever it is, I’m thinking this probably isn’t a part of it any more. It was for years, but I’m seeing less and less frequently. It’s somehow eluded me despite my years of Laphroaig fandom. I’ve had and loved the Cairdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength from 2019–let’s see if the standard TW is/was worth the squeeze. Nose: There are the standard coastal peat notes. Iodine and bandaid. Sea salt, seaweed, and brine. Tennis ball. But this one is simultaneously sweeter than other Laphroaig expressions. A mix of green and red apple, vanilla, butterscotch, and honey. Rich dark chocolate, caramel, fudge, molasses, and brown sugar represent the bourbon cask. Raisin, date, and fig for the Sherry. Spearmint and leather. And a puff of campfire smoke and the black bean, red pepper chili that I’m accustomed to finding in a Laphroaig expression, but it’s in the background here. Oak and wood round out a delightful nose. Palate: Initial burst of chestnut and peanut butter/peanut brittle. Peat, brine, seaweed, sea salt, iodine, bandaid, and tennis ball. Nice reflection of the nose. Granny Smith apple carries a touch of sour-sweetness from the nose. Butterscotch, vanilla, caramel, milk and dark chocolate, molasses. Vanilla custard. Cranberry, raisin, plum, and dried apricot. Cocoa and tobacco smoke accompany the campfire smoke and black bean, red pepper chili on the from the nose—these notes give this a slightly more smoky flare than the nose had. Finish: Caramel, butterscotch, milk chocolate, and honey. More of the peanut butter. Campfire, hookah, and tobacco smoke. Ballpark pretzel. Black bean, red pepper chili. Black pepper, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Long finish. This is a fantastic whisky. I will be hunting for what remains of the Triple Wood, since it seems that Laphroaig has given up on this one. As an appreciator of the art, I think that is a terrible idea. This is a great experiment and an amalgamation of quality grain, powerful peat, and sensational tremendous cask selection. I know I’m late to the party with this one. But it is a damn fine whisky. If it means salvaging what’s left in the stores around me, then it is what it is. But I’d love to this formula represented in Laphroaig’s core range once again. Regardless, this is a winner. 4.5/5. I returned tho this a couple years later. Similar notes. Even better experience. Boosted to 4.75/5.

The nose initially presents a floral sweetness with some butterscotch or toffee. Then the peat smoke rolls in, which presents as an ashy smoke. The smoke compliments and offsets the sweetness in a very pleasant way. Finally hidden underneath is bit of fresh leather and sweet pipe tobacco. On the palate the sweet and ashy smoke layer is prevalent up front. Followed by more of a dark toffee note than the nose would lead you to believe. There is a salty thread throughout that brings a needed balance like sea salt on caramel. Stewed raisins and cooked honey intertwine with smoked paprika and present a nice light to medium spiciness. The spice of the palate fades into an oaky finish with a light smokiness that leans more toward charred wood. The sweetness lingers along as a scorched chocolate leaving you wanting another sip.

Nose: Light peaty smoke, barrel wood, some sweeter vanilla high notes. Palate: Sherry, golden sultanas, subtle citrus peel, developing peaty smoke. Barrel spices towards the finish. Finish: Decent length. Salty-sweet, fruity, smokey BBQ sauce. The sherry lingers on the aftertaste. Notes: I sense that it's a young liquid but it's enriched by the quality of the maturation process which gives it a fuller, richer body than it might otherwise have as a single maturation.

It has been almsost a week since I opened the bottle and has improved from my initial taste. It has opened up nicely! The sherry influence is quite prominent both in the nose and the taste, it smells fantastic! You can't mistake this for any other Islay, but maybe the sherry reminds me a bit of Bowmore 18? It is not my favorite Laphroaig but that by no means it is bad. I suggest you check it out. Edit: Bumping this one up to 4.5 as it disappeared very fast. :)

Very good blend of mildly sweet sherry and peat. My favorite sherry/peat Scotch at the moment. Not much of the sooty smoke from the Frog 10 year. As far as comparisons go, I'm not much of a fan of the more pungent/bitter sherry notes found in Lagavulin 16 (blasphemy... I know... I tried my best to make myself like it more. It's good just not in my favs). On the contrary, super sweet sherry (like Wee Beastie) are also good, but not my fav.

Super smokey peaty aroma, but with a sweetness that reminds me of barbeque. Peat dominates the flavor, but it's very rich which carries it well. Long wonderful tail, sweetness undertones to the huge peat kick. Love this. Paired with something lightly spicy (in my case cinnamon tarragon beets) took this all the way up to five stars. Maybe a touch of spice was all I was missing.