Review #555 - Laphroaig 10 Year

Written By Me, My Wife & Whisky

This is an Islay single malt stalwart - the best-selling bottle from the island, available just about everywhere for a reasonable price. Laphroaig's 10 Year is supposed to display that classic peated Islay whisky character: peat smoke, brine from the sea, seaweed, and some bright or sweet flavor from the casks. This is one of the most recognizable brands in Scotch whisky, due to both its long-term consistent branding and the impression it leaves of most people when they taste it for the first time: that medicinal peat smoke.

This 10 Year Old is matured entirely in ex-bourbon barrels; we like that choice, as it gives us a chance to see the true character of the distillate coming from Laphroaig's stills. On the other hand, the bottling strength is a bit low at 43% ABV; some room for improvement on the presentation, then.

Laphroaig 10 Year

Scotland/Islay - Single Malt

Price: USD 59 (2025)

Age Statement: 10 Years

Strength: 43% ABV

Cask Makeup: Ex-bourbon barrels

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 4 years; bottles at 50%, 20%, and 70% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a nosing glass each time, rested 15+ minutes

Nose: Smoky and medicinal - a campfire by the sea, with sea salt, charcoal, and iodine-rich peat. There's a hint of ash, it's a bit savory; in the background, there are soft fruits, even an occasional hint of dark fruit and malty chocolate.

Palate: The mouthfeel is medium-thin - just slightly watery compared to other Laphroaigs, but there's still plenty of flavor. Coastal salt, strong peat smoke, some ash and wood smoke; in the background, light yellow fruit, orange oil, lime, and hay add a lighter complexion. Accent notes included simple syrup, pickled hot peppers, and a hint of apple.

Finish: Medicinal smoke and charcoal again, iodine, a classic Islay profile. There are light floral notes in the background, some sweet lemon, a bit of vanilla, too. The peat lingers for a while; it's a medium length finish.

Final Note: There's a reason that this bottle is so well-known - it displays that classic Islay single malt flavor of medicinal peat, and because of the ex-bourbon maturation, we get a great idea of the spirit without too much outside influence. Lots of light baking and fruit flavors behind that smoke, which is relatively intense itself. Because of the low bottling strength, the flavor density and mouthfeel are held back a little bit, but it fares better than most other 43% ABV whiskies.

Value is relatively good. This bottle has grown more expensive in the last 5 years (like almost all whiskies), but it still sits at a reasonable price, between $50 and $60 in our area. Compared to most other whiskies in that price bracket, it delivers more flavor.

Our Average Rating: 6.3 / 10

In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.

Value Rating: 6.64

About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.

Me, My Wife & Whisky
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