Introduction
With Ardbeg 10 (86 points) serving as a benchmark whisky for my Islay scotch reviews, I decided I needed another benchmark that I would rate closer to 80 points. The Islay equivalent of a Glenfiddich 12, if you will. Laphroaig 10 seemed like it would fit the bill. While I’m a HUGE Laphroaig fan, and their 30 year is my favorite whisky to date, my experience with the 10 year old (until recently), had been limited to a few drams in bars, where it was nice, but seemed pretty one-dimensional.
Once I tried the Laphroaig Quarter Cask expression, I quickly made the decision that it was enough better than the 10 year old to warrant a few extra bucks and a place in my cupboard. With the QC on hand, why would I reach for the 10 year? So, the 10 year expression has remained an after-thought for me over the past couple of years. However, with new ideas of journalistic integrity in mind, I finally caved and bought a 2010 bottling of Laphroaig 10 for $37. Let’s see if my opinion of this one changes when consumed in the comfort of my own home (and Glencairn glass), and how it compares to the excellent Quarter Cask expression.
Tasting Notes
Laphroaig 10 year [2010; 43%; $37]
Nose: Certainly not one-dimensional here. Fruity (apples/pears) and sweet, with vanilla and, surprisingly, a pretty gentle but ashy smoke. On first nosing, there’s an iodine presence, but I quickly acclimate and stop noticing it. So far, a pretty well balanced dram.Palate: Peaty, but juicy barley on the mouth, with a little bit of pepper. Not as big and oily as Ardbeg 10, but not weak either.
Finish: Ok, there’s the big smoke I was looking for. Where the Ardbeg smoke is like a camp fire, Laphroaig 10 is decidedly more industrial. A strong tar smoke shoots up the nostrils and coats the tongue from top to bottom, nearly drowning out all of the other flavors. I can see why this seemed like a one trick pony when I had this at the bar. The finish is long, with the tar slowly turning to ash on the tongue.
Comments: One-dimensional? Certainly not on the nose, but very close to it on the finish. Overall, the Laphroaig 10 was better than I remembered. I definitely consider this a worthwhile purchase at under $40. It’s not as big or complex as Ardbeg 10, but what’s there is still good, and that tar on the finish is very unique. If you’re like me, you’ll wonder on first tasting whether you really should be enjoying such a flavor. Don’t be surprised if it grows on you over time, though. Just into the full “B” range for me. 83 points.
Note: I also went through a 50ml sample of Laphroaig 10 bottled at 40% for the UK. It had basically the same profile, but was quite weak on the palate. That one I would probably rate at 81 points. I’m glad we get the 43% bottling in the US!
Laphroaig Quarter Cask (NAS) [2007?; 48%; $50]
Nose: Similar sweet fruit, ashy smoke, hint of iodine and vanilla as the 10 year, but with a stronger fresh-cut oak component. If you like oaky scotches and bourbons, this should appeal. Palate: Oh, I really like this 48% ABV. Very close to my theoretically ideal bottling strength of 50%. It’s bigger and thicker than the 10 year…closer in thickness to Ardbeg 10, but with even more zing. Finish: Here’s where the QC really separates itself from the 10 year. Yes, there is a tarry peat smoke that blasts right up the nostrils, but the fruit and barley are still there. And hello there, vanilla…thanks for sticking around. That big oak presence stays very much in the picture through the long finish.Comments: The Quarter Cask expression brings everything to the table that the 10 year does, and then some. It improves the balance in the process. Now, if you’re not a fan of super oaky whiskies, and you like the 10 year, I’d recommend you try before you buy. For me, this is right up there in enjoyment level with the Ardbeg 10 year. Two different takes on peat, both worth checking out. 86 points.
Final comparison thoughts
Sure, I like the Laphroaig Quarter Cask more than the 10 year. However, the 10 put up much more of a fight than I expected. If you buy Laphroaig almost solely for that tarry peat finish, then by all means, save a few bucks and enjoy the 10. It’s a great dram. I guess my search continues for an Islay equivalent to Glenfiddich 12 (assuming they keep sending us the 43% version of Laphroaig 10 in the US).
As for Laphroaig vs Ardbeg, I think the QC gives up a touch of complexity and balance to the Ardbeg, but that extra 2% ABV is nice. It’s really more of a mood thing for me, depending on the type of peat smoke I’m looking for. The enjoyment I get from drinking either is pretty much the same. Forced to pick one, I’d go with the Ardbeg.
Cheers, Jeff
Great comparison Jeff.
I agree fully. I love the QC, and while the 10 is good, it really is not a fair fight.
Given the fact that recently i am really becoming less and less a peat head, i will not add the 10 in the near future to my bar…
Slainte!
I don’t blame you…I figure you’ve probably got enough peat lying around to tide you over for a while. 🙂
Cheers.
Jeff, I really like the comparison post. Looking forward to more. I think you start to pick out more of the finer details in each when comparing two – or more – expressions. Cheers!
Thanks, Chris! I agree with you about liking the comparison approach. I’ve gotten to where most of my posts include those comparison notes. I think my recent Ardbeg 10 post was the first “individual” review in a long time. I consider this post (and my next few) to be a companion post to that one, though.
Thanks for the feedback,
Jeff
Nice comparison post. I like seeing these kinds of blog entries, as this is how I think about whisky when I taste it – comparing it in my mind with other similar whiskies from my experience. This is especially true of bottles that compete for the same “spot” in a regular cabinet lineup.
I suggest Finlaggan Old Reserve, if you can find it, as a good “bottom shelf” Islay malt. It’s routinely $17 at Trader Joe’s in Northern California, but I haven’t seen it anywhere else. I think it sits in the 77-79 range (for me), but at $17, it’s ALWAYS in my cabinet. Certainly it fills the “Glenlivet 12” spot in my Islay lineup.
Hi Nathan,
Thanks for the feedback! I haven’t seen Finlaggan Old Reserve around these parts. Trader Joe’s doesn’t carry hard liquor in AZ, unfortunately. I’ll be in CA later this month…I’ll keep an eye out for this. Thanks!
Cheers,
Jeff
I don’t know that I have the QC behind the Ardbeg 10 on my score card… They’d be nearly identical. I like the Laph10 for many reasons as well (it was the first Islay whisky that I bought and frankly is what sucked me into this whole hobby, so it’s got a special place for me – I didn’t buy an Ardbeg until much later… Ardbeg also – when I was in Michigan for years was $70, where Laphroaig was at $50 for 10, $55 for QC, and only $60 for CS… so I had a different opinion of how “good” Ardbeg was relative any of the Laphroaig offerings (it’s since dropped to $50 to match Laph 10)
The Laph Cask Strength, however beats down on Ardbeg and is probably one of the finest sub-$50 Scotches you can buy. Here in Dallas I regularly am seeing the CS at around $48 (as low as $44)!!!
As for the el cheapo/generic Islay – you can often find Bowmore Legend for around $30 or so and it’s not anything exceptional, but doesn’t suck…
Finlaggan Old Reserve is hard to find – I’ve looked around Texas, Illinois & Michigan for it, and it’s always out of stock – and hasn’t been around for quite some time. I’d buy it if In can find it, but so far it’s been all misses, no hits.
SUGGESTION: What about a peated malts that are NON-Islay comparison? Ledaig, Ardmore Traditional, GlenMo Finealta, Benriach, Ballechin (Edrador), Longrow, Arran’s new expression, etc.? That could make for a fun entry. I’ll contribute some samples if you like.
Hey Tim,
Great to have you back lately, with such thorough and useful contribution in the comments section…we need to revisit that whole guest writer idea. 🙂
The QC and Ardbeg 10 ARE identical on my scorecard (86 points each). I was just saying…gun to my head…I’d take the Ardbeg first.
Price is definitely a factor for me on these. If I had to pick one of Laph/Ardbeg below cask strength and one at cask strength, it would be Ardbeg 10 combined with Laphroaig CS. What a great flavor/price combination!
I’m hitting Caol Ila 12 and Bowmore 12 next. At that point, I’ll have my “core” Islay malt bases covered (I’ve already done Laga 16 to death). With that foundation in place, explaining my preferences in this genre, I’ll be branching out to various other peated malts, blends, and peated expressions outside of Islay.
I’ll message you on FB to talk about a potential sample swap. I definitely want to try Finealta, but not sure about a whole bottle yet.
Cheers,
Jeff
In my head it was Ardbeg at 89, and Laph QC at 86 – so my bad… You had them exactly equal, I just moved from one post to the next and changed your score for you ;-).
In Emily LaTella’s words: “Never Mind….”
My opinion doesn’t matter much anyhow, they’re YOUR scores… and they are as right as they always are no matter what you score them!
Looking forward to your Caol Ila & Bowmore notes. As you know, I’m a sucker for ANYTHING from Caol Ila, and the 12 is for me, one of the best things in my shelf. I drink it too fast every time I get a bottle!
Are you thinking of doing core expression ratings by region? That could be cool, too… Very interesting. I know my single biggest complaint among the blogosphere is is WAAAAAY too many reviews of George T. Stagg, and not enough of Wild Turkey. Too many Ardbeg Lord of The Isles reviews and not enough Ardbeg 10 (your site being the exception!).
I can’t think of a “modern” review (last few years) of Ardbeg 10, etc. on any credible site, come to think of it… Laphroaig QC is newer, so it’s got some ink online, but Talisker 10, Highland Park 12, Bowmore 12, Caol Ila 12, Springbank 10, Four Roses Single Barrel, Wild Turkey Rye, etc. – all the “can’t live without in my liquor cabinet” offerings get no ink, because they’re too pedestrian.
I know Scotchnoob – who comments here from time to time – has some nice reviews of core/base offerings which I enjoy, and have referred a number of folks to – but aside from that… there’s not much.
So thanks for putting it out there for us to chat about!
When I hit Islay’s South Shore last year they gave me a choice of Uigeadail, Corryvreckan or Blasda at Ardbeg so I could not compare the 10yo with the Laphroaig QC I had had that morning over on the Port Ellen side of the coast. That would have been something!
As it was the QC, on a gorgeous West Coast morning after our guide had encouraged we tourists to stick our fingers in all sorts of vessels and vats to taste the process as it happened, was a mighty accomplished dram which spoke so clearly of the place.
Another great post.
Thanks James!
Ahh, enjoying a dram at the distillery, taking in the full atmosphere. I can’t help but wonder what that might do to my impression of some of these malts…subconsciously catapult them from “very good” to “great” status? Certainly associating the flavor to imagery and feelings has an impact on the perceived pleasure received from the drinking experience.
Cheers,
Jeff
It’s an interesting question you pose, Jeff. Before I set off on my Odyssey I thought that many would be elevated into ‘greatness’ by my hallowed surroundings but I think my expectations may have been too high. Either that or I hadn’t time to laze around savouring my whisky because there was another distillery I had to get to!
I can only think of a couple that were raised to dizzying heights of perfection: Bowmore 12yo whilst standing on the rainy balcony of the visitor centre looking out over misty Lochindaal is one, and the Aberlour range whilst nice and cosy in Warehouse No. 1 is the other. It did impart the valuable lesson that every malt is different depending on where and when you have it. A distillery setting is hard to beat, though!