Now, I hope you are in the mood for more of the Islay style, because this month we have the Laphroaig Quarter Cask. There is quite a story behind the quarter cask. I’ll give you the abridged version, but if you are interested in the whole story, go to http://www.laphroaig.com/qc/qc.htm
Basically, in the old days, whisky was aged in 225 litre barrels, but transported in 55 litre barrels. These smaller casks are ‘quarter casks’. Smaller barrels means more available surface area, so there is more flavour from the wood in this whisky compared to the standard Laphroaig.
Smaller barrels tend to loose more to evaporation (angles share – thirsty buggers). So there is more influence from the sea air which gives Laphroaig its typical seaweed character. It is bottled at 48 alc/vol, in not chill filtered and is only available in limited release.
I haven’t tried this whisky, but I reckon it’ll be a biggun’. I am really looking forward to it. It’ll be something very interesting to ‘show’ the in laws over Christmas.
DISTILLERS NOTES
Bottle Size : 700ml
ABV : 46% abv
Region : Scotland – Islay
Peated : Yes
This expression offers an irresistible doubling of flavour, due to the double maturation in two barrels made of American oak.
Still-maturing whisky from our standard ex-Bourbon barrels is transferred to Quarter Casks and left to rest in our warehouse just a stone’s throw from the Atlantic shore.
This process represents Laphroaig breathing new life into a once-defunct tradition: the use of the smaller cask size, which ensures increased contact with the oak, creating a soft and velvety edge to complement Laphroaig’s distinctive peatiness.
NOSE: Burning embers of peat in a crofters fireplace, hints of coconut and banana aromas
BODY: Full bodied
PALATE: Deep, complex and smoky yet offers and surprises the palate with a gentle sweetness
FINISH: Really long, and dries appropriately with smoke and spice
