Thursday, 19 June 2014

Tasted #103: Laphroaig new make spirit (#101drams)

As the only dram on my #101drams list that technically isn't a whisky, I wasn't convinced an Islay new make would be easy to find. I'd tried Glenfiddich and Woodford Reserve new make (and Jack Daniels Unaged Rye), but wasn't sure where to go about finding one from Islay.

Luckily Andrew Derbidge (whisky oracle, SMWS Australia Cellarmaster & NSW Director, all round nice guy and now whisky blogger) had a sample of Laphroaig new make he was willing to share. Thanks Andrew!

Laphroaig New Make (67.5% ABV/ unaged / Islay, Scotland / not commercially available)
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Colour: Crystal clear (surprise surprise!)
Nose: Freshly baked bread, tyres, ethanol, ash.
Palate: Rich and oily, and hot, but smooth. Peaty but not overpowering. Boiled lollies. No iodine or sea air notes - they obviously develop with time (time spent aging near the sea, obviously!)
Finish: Long, hot and dry. Smoky - not dissimilar in lingering peat smoke to the 10yo.
Rating (on my very non-scientific scale): 89/100. Surprisingly drinkable.

Cheers,
 - Martin.

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