Laphroaig Four Oak

A colleague mentioned their dad bought this during his travels, found it unappealing after one taste, and offered the remainder of the bottle at no cost. Given my existing appreciation for Laphroaig, I'm eager to experience how the four distinct oak types influence it, and I question what could be disliked. Anticipating the signature Laphroaig brine and peat, the packaging suggests additional buttery, creamy, and sweet notes from the oak alongside the foundational profile. If this holds true, this liter bottle will be well-utilized. The color is light and quite see-through, falling between straw and gold. The aroma, as expected, leads with a familiar salty, peaty brine, but also presents subtle hints of vanilla and cooked mixed berries. It lacks significant complexity or depth, and feels somewhat diluted, yet it still captures the essence of classic Laphroaig so far. The initial mouthfeel has very little ethanol or heat, but peat and a sea spray sensation gradually emerge. The malt character is simultaneously a bit sour and dry, and while some vanilla is present, it's masked and fails to provide any necessary sweetness. Despite repeated tasting, the body is insufficient, and doesn't deliver what one might expect from four different oak types, each supposedly imparting unique flavors. Therefore, I can understand the dissatisfaction, and would not consider it worth traveling the world to acquire. However, it's certainly good enough to be free. Nevertheless, I find myself favoring Laphroaig 10 Year over this expression, to the extent that if both were available, I see no reason to choose this one. It does offer a pleasant peated character and serves its purpose for those seeking a smoky flavor that isn't as overpowering as some stronger versions. The packaging hints at a "smooth buttercream flavor and tangy, liquorice finish" when mixed with water or ice, an appealing idea, but my expectations remain grounded.

The distillery is producing some fantastic whiskies recently, though they have consistently made excellent spirits. This particular bottling is no different and is quite a pleasure to drink. This "four oak" version is aged in four distinct oak types: former bourbon casks, quarter casks, new American oak, and European oak hogsheads. The outcome is a very smooth Laphroaig, if such a thing is possible. It's bottled at 40% ABV, which is unusual for this distillery, and has an amber hue. Upon nosing, it presents the characteristic notes of the distillery: some earthy peat, the scent of new tennis balls, soil, heather, a strong presence of pleasant oak, seaweed, scorched plastic, wood shavings, and... This might be a bit odd, but it carries the smell of the rubber from a He-Man action figure's head. If you've ever encountered one, you'll recognize the exact aroma. It's surprisingly intriguing. The taste is simply delightful. It begins with a strong impact for a 40% ABV spirit, featuring puffs of smoke, ash, tobacco, and a remarkably sweet toffee flavor. The interplay of these flavors on the palate is superb. It's both sweet and peaty. However, it wasn't perfect. The finish is disappointingly brief. The lingering notes are of pepper, a burning fire, and ash. But it's far too short to earn this whisky a standout rating. I rate it 88 out of 100, finding it highly enjoyable and strongly recommended. Cheers!

smoky, iodine, medicinal, high spice, dry, complex, waxy, chemical, 1.5 mid delicate, thick and smoky, mid spice, bitterness, oaky and meaty, herby, medicinal, after taste is a little bland 3 high sustained, peaty, smoky 2.5 2.5 fouroaks oaky woody smoke mid spice, medicinal, 2.5 bitterness thin, delicate, oaky, smoky and meaty but you get very little complexity 2 mid sustained, peaty sweetness 2.5 2.25 Four Oak 20210704 smokey mid spice, oaky, pear apple sweetness creamy dryness 2.75 thin, oaky, bitterness, medicinal, herbal high spice, 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 marshmallow peatiness that lingers for a long finish. Caramel taste at the end. Personally, go for the finish because it makes it all worthwhile. 4

This is a Laphroaig without an age statement, and it's quite unique. I have a feeling people will have strong, opposing views on it. Initially, it presents the familiar TCP and medicinal notes, but the smoke truly dominates this time. The smoke is complex and flavorful, though it lacks the rich, oily texture typically found in Laphroaig. The primary flavors are vanilla and toast, with subtle hints of citrus and brine, and not much else. The finish is brief. It mainly consists of more ashiness, with just a faint touch of salt and vanilla. While it tastes young and somewhat ashy, it's still a pleasant drink. It's lighter and more understated than many Islay whiskies. It's not a poor offering, but I'd usually prefer a standard 10-year-old over this.

LAPHROIG FOUR OAK (2017 - 305) Bottling Code: L7305YB1 Bottle opened: 3 weeks Final Review date: 26-6-20 Nose: Earthy peat, wood pellets, ash, salted caramel, sea air, grass, pine, potpourri, and spicy pepper hit first. Sweet notes of honey and vanilla are present, along with citrus (lemon). Curiously, calamine lotion notes appear too. (9/10) Palate: Thin and watery. Sweet peat and chili heat. Notes of wood, lemon, salted caramel, ash, and grass. Becomes slightly creamy with a touch of vanilla. (8/10) Finish: Peat smoke with citrus, hot spice, vanilla, ash, and salt. Medium-long and dry. (9/10) This has significant complexity, though it lacks refinement. I prefer it to QC.

LAPHROIG - FOUR OAK Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (1000ml) Crafted from spirits aged in four types of barrels, this is a complex and rich drink. The spirit is a hand-selected blend featuring whisky from ex-bourbon casks, quarter casks, and large European oak hogsheads. A unique addition to this blend is whisky aged in new American oak casks. A novel innovation in Scotch whisky, the new oak imparts a rich vanilla aroma to this exceptional peated Islay single malt. This complements the notes of stewed fruit and the distinct medicinal smokiness that makes Laphroaig so unique. Enjoy it neat or with a few ice cubes. Aged in four different wood types for deeper flavor. Notes of peat smoke, stewed fruit, and toasted vanilla. Partially aged in new American oak casks, rarely used in Scotch production. The 19th-century style quarter casks provide a velvety texture. Barrel Type: Ex-bourbon, quarter casks, new American oak and European oak hogsheads Volume: 1000ml ABV: 40% Nose Aroma: Aromas of peat smoke with stewed fruit and warm, toasted vanilla. Palate Taste: Hints of sandalwood, pine, fir and willow, experience oak embers and seaweed with smooth buttercream. Finish Aftertaste: Salted liquorice and peaty.