Laphroaig Triple Wood

I'm not sure about Laphroaig's current core range. Whatever it is, I don't think this is part of it anymore. It used to be for years, but I see it 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 was worth the effort. Nose: Standard coastal peat notes are present, with iodine and bandaid. Sea salt, seaweed, and brine. Tennis ball. But this one is simultaneously sweeter than other Laphroaig expressions, with 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 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: An initial burst of chestnut and peanut butter/peanut brittle. Peat, brine, seaweed, sea salt, iodine, bandaid, and tennis ball. A 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 from the nose – these notes give this a slightly smokier 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. A 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 so be it. But I'd love to see this formula represented in Laphroaig's core range once again. Regardless, this is a winner. 4.5/5. I returned to this a couple of years later. Similar notes. An even better experience. Boosted to 4.75/5.

The aroma first offers a sweet floral scent with some butterscotch or toffee. Then the peat smoke arrives, presenting as an ashy smoke. The smoke balances and contrasts the sweetness very nicely. Underlying it all is a bit of fresh leather and sweet pipe tobacco. On the palate, the sweet and ashy smoke layer is prominent at the start. This is followed by a darker toffee note than the aroma suggested. A salty element runs through it, providing necessary balance like sea salt on caramel. Stewed raisins and cooked honey blend with smoked paprika, creating a pleasant light to medium spice. The palate's spice transitions into an oaky finish with a light smokiness reminiscent of charred wood. The sweetness persists as a scorched chocolate, leaving you wanting another taste.

Smell: Faint peat smoke, barrel wood, with hints of vanilla sweetness. Taste: Sherry, dried grapes, a touch of citrus rind, with a developing peat smoke. Barrel spices appear near the end. Finish: Lasts a reasonable time. A salty-sweetness, fruitiness, and smokey BBQ sauce. The sherry lingers in the mouth. Comments: It appears to be a young spirit, but the excellent maturation process enhances its body, giving it more depth than it would have from a single type of aging.

It's been about a week since I opened the bottle, and it's improved since my first tasting. It has developed well! The sherry's impact is very noticeable in both the smell and the taste; it smells amazing! You can tell it's an Islay, but perhaps the sherry reminds me somewhat of Bowmore 18? It's not my top Laphroaig, but that doesn't mean it's not good. I recommend giving it a try. Update: Increasing the rating to 4.5 because it was finished very quickly.:)

A nice combination of moderately sweet sherry and peat. Currently my preferred sherry/peat Scotch. Unlike the Frog 10 year, it doesn't have much of that sooty smoke. For comparison, I'm not a fan of the more intense/bitter sherry notes in Lagavulin 16 (I know, heresy... I really tried to appreciate it more. It's good, just not among my favorites). Conversely, extremely sweet sherry (like Wee Beastie) is also nice, but not my top choice.

An intensely smoky, peaty aroma, yet with a sweetness reminiscent of barbeque. Peat is the dominant flavor, but its richness carries it well. A long, delightful finish with sweet undertones complementing the powerful peat impact. I love this. Paired with something subtly spicy (in my instance, cinnamon tarragon beets), it was elevated to five-star status. Perhaps a touch of spice was the missing element.