Laphroaig 11 2014 Dun Bheaghan

Thanks to /u/devoz for sharing a dram of this one.

The last tasting… wait, let me rephrase that: The last tasting I was able to write down had a rarity at it: A random Laphroaig sitting out that I hadn’t gotten to.

Don’t let me say I’m somehow king of reviewing Laphroaig. I’m far and away from that particular crown, and am happy for it. Laphroaig is tasty and fun and all, however I can’t keep up, not just with some of my friends, but the general internet seems to be ahead of me normally.

Case in point: Laphroaig 11 2014 Dun Bheaghan came out 4 years ago (where has all the time gone), is seemingly an independently bottled ex-bourbon, young Laphroaig. Is it cask strength? If so, that’s some greedy angels. I lean towards a no on that one.

Otherwise, let’s see what half a percentage more alcohol, only two casks, and one more year than the standard.

I expect nothing, and yet achieve something everyday. Cause I’m all zen and shit. Let’s see how this tastes, shall we?

Price: Sold out

Region: Islay

Distilled: February 2003

Bottled: 2014

Cask Type: Hogshead

Cask Numbers: 940/942

No. of bottles: 866

Abv: 43.5%

Colour: 10Y 9/8

Nose: Peanut, Asian pear, brine, grass

Interesting. It’s a lighter, tart, almost raw nose. There’s smoke, though it’s around the outside, like two trailer park girls and a 90s song about a guy looking in.

It’s a very mellow Laphroaig. Not a big amount of smoke, as I said before, however the influence is there.

Taste: Licorice, butter, pear, lemongrass

Ah, there’s more of the peat influence. It’s very herbal here. The low alcohol is evident though, as it should be very subtle and something you take time to pick apart, and yet it takes the normal amount of time to pick out the little bits.

Or it’s disappointing. Yeah, I could have just written it’s disappointing. That’s more sense in English and shit.

Finish: Mushroom, oak, licorice, butter, peat

More earth on the finish, and it’s stronger than the taste was. Heck, it’s the first time that proper peat shows up ever.

Conclusion: A subtle earth, spice, peat light Laphroaig. I’ll take “things that no one asked for but it’s not that bad” for 200 Alex.

That’s a Jeopardy joke.

It’s almost a whisky for people who thought Islay was too strong but still kinda likes peat. I don’t know, it’s not super for me. I’m not against it, I’m not for it, I’m just happy to have had it.

76/100

Scotch review #883, Islay review #224, Whisky Network review #1406