If you’re looking for an example of a well-appreciated NAS-whisky, look no further than the Laphroaig Quarter Cask. This whisky has been a hit for a long time. It’s been around for over a decade now, and contrary to modern NAS-releases, it hasn’t been created to replace an entry level age statement whisky.
The Quarter Cask is very young though. After 5 or 6 years in traditional ex-bourbon casks, the whisky is transferred into small Quarter Casks (125 liters) to speed up maturation.
Laphroaig Quarter Cask (48%, OB, +/- 2014)
Nose: Peaty (well duh!) but also very sweet with lots of vanilla and butterscotch. And fresh fruit as well. Like peach and banana. Slight salty influence, making it more of a maritime whisky.
Taste: Peat, charcoal, ash and sal ammoniac. Shaved wood. More of an attack on the senses. Bitter oranges and grapefruit. Some brine and iodine as well.
Finish: Brine, white pepper and peat. But more fruit now. Pear and banana.
Rating: 86
Balanced and fresh, but also intense on the palate. Almost unbelievable that this is still available for less than 35 euro.
