For something I’ve been enjoying for a few years now, I thought I should say a couple of words about this guilty pleasure. Yes, it’s a blended whisky, it smells like a young whisky, and tastes, well like scotch whisky will. At 43%ABV, it’s well neat with some water, and would probably make a great mixer. It’s an every day whisky, paying tribute to the Everyman who turns the malt barley on the floors at distilleries across Scotland. In the US, it could be the blue collar whisky, a great reward for a hard days work at the shop, field, or shore. And the best part, it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than many whiskies that are simply not as good. Cheers
Intrigued by the marketing that this is a “laid back expression” from Laphroaig, I purchased it.
Married is the proper way to say blended, not to be confused with a blended scotch of different base grains.
I’ve heard from several people over the years that they like whisky, except the smoky and medicinal ones. They are typically referring to whisky from Islay, and “La-Froyg” has quite that reputation. I happen to enjoy the peaty taste, so I’m intrigued by the statement that this offering will “open up the world of Laphroaig for every drinker.”
From the moment I opened the bottle, it was unmistakably Laphroaig. I heated it up in my hands vigorously due to some opportunistic spillage and inhaled the smoky elegance that I personally love. What a great perfume. Trying it neat after nosing, I was expecting a more “laid back” mouthfeel, I was wrong. Very much a Laphroaig, maybe a bit softer, but not significantly.
This is marketed as a summertime dram. Maybe if your summers are in Scotland, but not in summertime in the USA. Especially the mid-Atlantic and southern States. I do enjoy this more with some added water, and I think very good mixologists could do something special with this also. If you really want a summertime scotch whisky (and live in a hot region), look towards the low lands of Scotland or Speyside, especially if you do not enjoy peated whisky.
theScotchlife 