Laphroaig Lore, 48% abv.

A 2016 release named after the skills passed down from generation to generatiom at Laphroaig. The interesting part is the juices that went into this blend. Some sources say quarter casks, first fill sherry butts/hogsheads, and reused peated casks or ex-peated casks. Other sources say quarter casks, oloroso hogsheads, and ex-bourbon. In any case, there seem to be three components to the Lore blend.

Nose: classic laphroaig, woody peat, bbq-ish, hint of gasoline/turpentine/dying coals. Sour notes take a peak with time.
Palate: oily, smooth, peaty bbq, sour wood. For some reason dried grapefruit comes to mind, but I've never tried dried grapefruit before.
Finish: moderate, light, peaty wood. After several sips, its all lightly smoked wood.
Dry glass: bbq cherries!

The pour before this was a ~60% abv glenfarclas and so I had to wash my mouth with pellegrino. Admittedly it left my tongue slightly numb, but clean. Given this historical mishap, Lore is nice; a classic Laphroaig, Islay-born, nothing is emphasized on the tongue, not as pungent as the 10 though, less than the 18. If my palate was still scarred by the Glenfarclas, then I would have to lean towards this being an extremely rich and full bodied dram. In any case, that dry glass is unique!

Grade: C (probably biased)

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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