Right, the Laphroaig 10 Years Cask Strength Batch 17. I’ve reviewed a number of batches, including the previous one. This 17th batch is the most recent edition of the Laphroaig 10 Years Cask Strength, even though it was bottled way back in November 2023.
It’s important to note the Laphroaig 10 Years Cask Strength Batch 17 wasn’t released until July 2024. There always seems to be quite a long period between the bottling date and actual release date. The last few batches were all launched in summer, so I expect a new batch might be here in a few months or so.
The Laphroaig 10 Years Cask Strength Batch 17 matured in ex-bourbon casks and is not chill-filtered. However, caramel colouring was used, which is kind of surprising given this is a batch produced whisky. By their very nature these kinds of products vary in taste, quality and appearance.
Astonishingly, Laphroaig clearly state on the product page that “what you pour is what we draw from the barrel.” This, of course, can’t be true. Either they use colouring or they sell an unadulterated product – and it’s not the latter.
There are situations were caramel colouring is useful, but the Laphroaig Cask Strength series isn’t one of them. I don’t necessarily believe it has a huge impact on taste, or at least not in this case. But why even use it when you purport to be selling an au naturel whisky?
Laphroaig 10 Years Cask Strength Batch 17 (58.5%, OB, 2024)
Nose: Yes, indeed, there’s a hint of iodine. Quite happy with that. Also notes of sandalwood, bonfire smoke and oily kippers. There’s a touch of olive brine, as well as hints of nori sheets and tinned pineapple. Also slivers of smoked honey. A relatively mellow experience.
Taste: Thick, rather viscous. The iodine makes an encore, but there’s also fresh tar, some rubber and Szechuan pepper. A touch of plaster and cough syrup, as well as sweet malt, charred oak and a slight dryness. Some stewed fruits linger in the background – way in the background.
Finish: Long with dry oak and dominant medicinal notes. Then sweeter notes of smoked barley husks and some honey-drizzled porridge. Gentle ashes too.
