Laphroaig QA Cask

This travel retail exclusive from Laphroaig, the QA Cask, utilizes American white oak, indicated by 'quercus alba'. It undergoes double maturation, first in ex-bourbon casks, then in fresh American white oak. It's peculiar that an offering made entirely of American wood is not readily available in the US. It has a pale gold color and displays numerous thin legs, likely due to being diluted to the minimum 40% ABV, though it retains the oily appearance typical of Laphroigs. The nose features fresh-cut oak, vanilla, and young spirit; the smoke is very subdued and diluted, making it seem less potent on the nose than it is in taste. The palate echoes the vanilla and oak barrel notes with a restrained smokiness, but these elements don't integrate well. The oak and vanilla are tasted first, followed by smoke and an unusual dryness. The finish is medium length, lacking barrel notes, with sweet vanilla and persistent dryness on the tongue. The oily appearance doesn't translate to the mouthfeel, which is odd. I suspect it's not offered in the US because, apart from faint smoke, it closely resembles a weak American bourbon. Perhaps this offers a change of pace for Europeans accustomed to typical Islay smoke. The price, excluding international shipping, is reasonable at $59 per liter. However, its lack of complexity and impact wouldn't compel me to buy it again, though I'm glad to have tried it. It's decidedly average. 2.5 stars. Cheers.

Floral peat, with comparatively little smoke, defines this mild dram. It also lacks significant fruit sweetness, offering instead a distinct and potent roasted nut aroma (among the most intense nut notes ever encountered): both unshelled peanuts and Brazil nuts. This is by far the nuttiest Laphroaig tasted. The palate is somewhat light and thin (as expected at 40% alcohol), with pleasant coffee, vanilla, and roasted nut flavors, giving it a generally mild creamy character. Very little smoke is detected on the palate, so much so that peat or smoke wasn't even noted – a rarity for any Islay scotch. There's also no strong honey or citrus sweetness, suggesting the QA barrels aren't charred like bourbon barrels. It finishes quickly for an Islay or Laphroaig, with a hint of smoke and sweetness, followed by roasted coffee, light woody spice, and those nuts again. A bit too much lingering bitterness is the main drawback of the finish. The absence of that raw, powerful peat impact is what many have criticized about QA Cask. That seems somewhat unfair – if this scotch had a Campbeltown designation or came from a new distillery, I believe many critics would commend it as a well-balanced, lightly-peated scotch. Its price is comparable to Laphroaig 10 or Quarter Cask, after adjusting for the larger volume of the travel retail bottle, which seems reasonable. It's better than other online reviews suggest. Thanks to a friend for the sample!

This isn't the finest Laphroaig available, and it feels like an attempt to profit from a new release. It's the first time I haven't enjoyed something from that famed Islay distillery. Bottled at 40% ABV with a golden hue. The nose initially presents a classic Laphroaig scent of fresh tennis balls, followed by clean vanilla ice cream, and then herbal spice like oregano and earthy notes. The palate, however, is disappointing: too thin, with ginger spice, earthiness, alcohol, and perhaps prune flavors. The finish improves slightly with peaty, earthy notes, a touch of ash, sulfur, and mild spice. Overall, it's a flawed Laphroaig, not their strongest effort, and an exception to their usual standard. My rating: 70/100, just scraping 3.5 stars.

The aroma is notably lighter than other Islay malts, with some peat, vanilla, and a subtle vegetative note upon deeper inspection, possibly the white pepper noted by another. Tasting it neat, as I hesitate to dilute the 40% ABV, reveals a surprisingly peatier and more iodized palate than expected. Re-evaluating, it's quite similar to the 10-year, but with a distinct hint of vanilla. I was concerned it might be overwhelming, but it's quite pleasant. Lacking earthiness, it suits a morning dram without complaint. It reminds me of the Ardbeg Perpetuum and Lagavulin 8. Enjoy!

By far the most disappointing Laphroaig I've experienced. The aroma is weak, with hints of lemon pepper, vegetation, vanilla, green chilies, and a touch of salt. It's recognizable as Laphroaig, but like a forgotten relative. The taste is even less impressive: a bit of bonfire, some ginger, pear, and not much else. The smooth finish is its only saving grace. There's a hint of smoky brine, but it's mostly quite thin. It's not bad in any way, but entirely unmemorable. Aside from the distinctive label (being a traveler's exclusive), there's no justification for purchasing this bottle.

Nose: Smoky, medicinal peat, lemon, and herbs with a hint of vanilla. (Diluted quality) (8/10) Palate: Thin and watery, almost syrupy. Smoky but on the sweeter side with citrus. Oak dominates, followed by vanilla sweetness. (Diluted quality) (7/10) Finish: Medium with a balance of smoke, oak, and sweetness. Dry and bitter at the end. (7/10) A Laphroaig that's easy to drink for warm evenings.