The annual Cask Strength release from Laphroaig is always highly anticipated, and it’s not hard to understand why. The quality is always high, and the price is always low. I absolutely adored Batch #007, so I’m very curious to see how its successor fares.
Laphroaig 10yo Cask Strength Batch #008 (59,2%, OB)
Nose: Very warm and inviting. A fair amount of milk chocolate is covered in a layer of smoldering wood smoke. Some dried red fruits as well as licorice and sweet vanilla. Hints of oranges and bananas. Very well-balanced.
Taste: Lots of peat and a hint of rubber. More licorice as well, accompanied by chili peppers. A bit rough, but in the good sense. I detect a little bit of sweet oranges and mandarines, but some more fruit would’ve given it better depth. I find it doesn’t swim too well.
Finish: Smokey and medicinal. Long.
Rating: 88
Another winner from Laphroaig. An almost unbeatable price/quality-ratio.
Hi Thijs,
I see this one gets 2 points less than batch 007.
Is the difference that big and what is the cause according to you?
Hi Wouter. Two points is not a huge difference. Both are really good, but I find #007 better, mainly because of some more complexity on the palate.