Laphroaig Lore

Laphroaig Lore, NAS, 48 %

Laphroaig Lore

In the November newsletter from Laphroaig it was announced that a new whisky called Laphroaig Lore was due to be released during Spring 2016. It has still not been officially launched, but at the Bergen International Whisky & Beer Festival 2016 this weekend I got to try it. Nor only did I try it, I managed to sneak away to a quiet spot and spend an hour with it.

My guess is that this whisky will be launched before or at the Feis Ile 2016 festival on Islay.

I will update this article with the launch date and the price info as soon as I get this. Until then you shall have to settle for my tasting notes.

Nose (22/25): Sweet, rich wood smoke with a touch of the maritime. Soft medicinal notes. In other words, we are definitely on Islay, at the distillery. I would say this is a typical Laphroaig nose. In addition I find vanilla, eucalyptus, ripe yellow fruit, smoked bacon and sweet barbecue sauce.

Taste (22/25): Rich, creamy and soft mouthfeel. Sweet smoky notes, just as on the nose, but in addition there's also some peppery ashes here. The fruitiness and medicinal aspect is toned down - for now...

Finish (21/25): Long finish. Rich and sweet all the way. The vanilla morphs into something more like caramel. A touch more medicinal towards the end.

Balance (22/25): A well-balanced, solid and classic Laphroaig. Maybe not very challenging, it does lack a bit of complexity, but I really liked it. This is a true Laphroaig to me. Not Laphroaig 10 YO Cask Strength level, but more than fine.

Score (87/100)

laphroaig-lore_back

Images from the TTB Database (TTB = Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau).

Sláinte! - Thomas