A Modern Peat/Sherry Legend? | Laphroaig 10 Sherry Oak Finish REVIEW

I've got a single malt scotch whisky from the Laphroaig distillery on Islay today. This is the 10 year old Sherry Oak Finish. It's a relatively new release that's become quite popular. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes

[@stefanfeldmann2094]

I bought this 2 years ago alongside kilchoman sanaig, uigeadail and talisker DE for my peated sherry supply. So I could make it through the dark and cold months. Sanaig and Laphroaig won, Talisker came in 3rd and Uigeadail in last place. You could say that I really enjoyed the aktive casks in combination with peat. Talisker was just such a nice sipper and Uigeadail was okay, but had some young cardboardy notes. I had the Laphroaig open for 12 months I think and it was great till the end. But I do agree, that in general peated offerings tend to lose some of their harshness (which sometimes is desired) after a few months, but I had that happen in Ardbegs, too. As always great video, cheers!

[@Kinshasa9200]

Uigedail has a serious fall from grace. The first time I tried it, the whisky was 10/10. The last time I tried it, it just seemed insipid and lacking in depth.

[@elduderino3120]

My bottle of Senaig was so Peaty it was better the emptier it got - the last quarter was really really great. I think the lesson for me is open my next Senaig and then leave it for 6 months!

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Laphroaig Brodir has a bit of sophistication... Love the bottle....the quintessential Scotch bottle. I once had a 10 that had been open for 6 months. Was delicious. As you said, little flat but ridiculously sweet, with subdued smoke. It's good stuff.

[@barryfrombarnsley2790]

Regarding Laphroaig flattening out a bit, I’ve got through a good few bottles of this now, and once you have less than half the bottle left in there it’s probably worth decanting into a smaller bottle or just taking it to a social gathering to finish it off, because I find it does flatten out towards the end. For me, this is a bottle I reach for quite a bit when the weathers a bit miserable.

[@barryfrombarnsley2790]

I also pay quite a bit less for this than you have, which obviously makes it more palatable as a no-brainier just-reach-for bottle. Despite having a few different Laphroaigs in at any one time, I only keep one bottle open at once, to try and avoid multiple bottles flattening out. I don’t tend to blast through bottles, I don’t want to find next time I come to it, it’s dead.

[@revolvermaster4939]

I just bought 20 vacuum corks to test on my whisky, works for wine & sake!

[@barryfrombarnsley2790]

@@revolvermaster4939 seen very mixed opinions on them, is there a particular type or brand that’s worth looking at?

[@peathead4450]

Thanks for reviewing this one, Geoff. Have heard some raving about this whisky ... what I do not understand. Thought it to be ok at best. Prefer the quarter cask over this one, needless to say that I hugely prefer the 10yo CS. I leave this one for others to enjoy. Slàinte mhath

[@sunryse111]

Good one, Geoff. And congratulations on getting a special mention from Roy a few minutes ago, who found your individual take on the OSWAS name hilarious!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah cheers, my friend. Roy's the best. 🥃

[@elduderino3120]

28 years ago I had my first encounter with Laphroaig. Gauloise cigarettes, hot tarmac, rotting vegetation, permanent-ink marker pen. It might’ve been overspill from the ‘80s whisky loch, it might’ve been my novice palette, but that stuff still sits in the memory as the most visceral whisky experience of my life. Hell, the aroma was tangible, almost visible. Drinking it was like being slapped across the face with a smoked salmon. Another experience I don’t want to taint with ‘…gone a bit flat’.

[@elduderino3120]

Or, thanks Geoff for trying these so I don’t have to. Great video as per.

[@digitaldemocracyai-rob]

Chemotherapy in a glass is another great description. :)

[@Lokotraktor]

You really went out of your way to explain the taste and character and you did a wonderful job, thanks!

[@Gwhisky]

Hah thank you, sir. Appreciate the kind words. Cheers! 🥃

[@SebMoellerM]

Yup, that is the “Laphroaig effect” (a friend of mine genuinely said that years back, and now it’s a term in my friend group). On the flip-side, Auchentoshan gets better with time. Especially the Three Wood goes from candy sweet to dark roasted coffee, and rich chocolate

[@Balkonwhisky]

I guess these coffee and chocolate Notes coming from the Tons of burnt Caramel they put in the ThreeWood now to let it look like Cola. 🫣

[@SebMoellerM]

@@Balkonwhisky so?

[@WhiskyWolf514]

I totally had that with my Laphroaig 10 year old! Gave it away once 2/3rd of the bottle was gone....just fell so flat 1/3rd in. My Lore half way through softened up as well but the higher abv helps it I think. I did have the same experience with my Kilchoman PX Sherry Cask Mature 2021. More than half way through it started to thin out. By the way - I just saw that the UK Price of Kilchoman 16 is around 200£.....RIP 😢🥃

[@mantovanello]

I'm definitely having the same experience with a Finlaggan CS bottle getting flatter over the time, so I understand what you were saying in the video. Cool review!

[@andynelson5864]

As for Laphroaig losing it's oomph after a while, my Cask Strength Batch 15 has held up pretty nicely since I bought it in late June. The 10 yo, which I won't buy, does fade. The Machir Bay Cask Strength seems to improve with time and air in the bottle, in my opinion. I just cracked my second bottle recently and will see if it stays frisky. Someone on a different channel felt the PC10 flattens after not too long; I haven't really noticed. The Kilkerran HP Batch 6 was delightful all the way through; just cracked Batch 7 and will take note. I wonder if high ABV slows down this phenomenon? But if air and time in the bottle does mute our beloved peat notes, perhaps that's part of that bottle's journey we can expect? We might have to drink it faster! Worse will happen in our lives... With that in mind, I bought eight 2 oz air-tight bottles: rather than wait for someting to flatten out with time, I might just fill some of these bottles when I find whiskies priming in their orginal bottles and keep it all for later. I can compare a final pour from an original bottle with the saved juice and see if any difference is notable.

[@eholopai]

Thanks for yet another great review Geoff! Don’t know about the downhill, but I’ve found some peaty whiskies being a bit harsh on the neck pour. Especially monsters like Ballechin 12 SFTC. It got a lot better after a month or so. I might buy a bottle of this Laphroaig, ’cause sherry/peat combo always has it’s place on my shelf. I think I’ve alteady said this, but I’d like you to review Bunnahabhain Ceobanach, if you can get yout hands on it

[@maltedbarleyman7834]

Great review Geoff. I had that issue of flatness with the Port Charlotte 10. I felt like the peat dissipated after a couple of months. I pretty much stick with the Ardbeg core range for my peat fix. Sláinte 🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Ah damn sorry to hear that. I've had pretty good luck with PC so far. Laph has always been the worst offender for me. Cheers! 🥃

[@kevinnordby4808]

Great review as always Geoff! I picked up a bottle of this earlier this year and I don’t know that I will replace it….I love straight bourbon cask matured Laphroaig but I’m not crazy about how their peat interacts with Sherry and prefer Kilchoman for peat/Sherry…..or Kilkerran 🤯 I do find Laphroaig and Ardbeg tend to go flat (except the Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength). I have not noticed that as much with Kilchoman, Port Charlotte or Lagavulin. They still mellow but not to the point of going flat.

[@Gwhisky]

Agree. My CS Laph held on much longer than the other Laphroaigs. Kilchoman, PC, and Laga have always seemed more stable to me as well. Cheers! 🥃

[@gebrje01]

I completely agree with you. I had bought the Laphroaig quarter cask twice and they both became flat once the bottle had been open for a while. It somehow can't retain the peat flavor.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah... frustrating. Cheers. 🥃

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Excellent perspective Geoff, I have yet to see it in Italy. Will search it out as it sounds good. Thanks 🙏 ciao 👋 S

[@Gwhisky]

Hope you find it and enjoy it. Cheers, my friend! 🥃

[@McIntyresMalts]

Notes are on point mate, I get loads of what you are getting too. The sweet-tooth in me prefers the PX Laphroaig, but both are great in my eyes as a Laphroaig Stan

[@ironmantran]

GREAT REVIEW: just returns to Ontario market - how timely ! . . . for me, BOWMORE died in the bottle DOA right after a good 3-oz (3-ounce) neck poor.

[@Rohit_M]

To be honest with you Geoff, the first bottle of this peaty/sherry combo worked out ok for me from the start to finish over maybe 8-10 months. I do agree, Ardbeg Ugi is better but the real nuances you want in Laphroaig are in their CS releases IMO. Maybe it's the abv that keeps it consistent over time, not sure. I have a batch 13 of CS open right now and it's been pretty solid so far. Great review G, maybe 87 for me coz of sweet Sherry with peat.

[@Scotball72]

I had a bottle of Ardbeg 10 that I sipped on for a few months, first heavily peated whisky I ever bought. To me it was super Smokey and meaty upfront but as time went on that went away some. I thought I was just getting used to the smoke. Then I popped a fresh bottled recently and it was very smoky again.

[@Gwhisky]

Yeah these kinds of bottles are usually at their best as a fresh pop. 🥃

[@TheReal_DeanD]

When I first had this Whiskey, I thought it was disjointed. Then after a while of it sitting in the bottle with oxygen, I find the same thing that it kind of flattened out flavor wise. Now I think it’s OK. I agree with the 85 score

[@FEWGEE1]

I agree with everything you said. Best review I've seen of this bottle.

[@Gwhisky]

Awesome! Thanks for watching! 🥃

[@NeilImmortal]

Have to agree, my 10CS was opened last winter and I am now struggling to drink it, just something missing. The Sherry is nice, but like so many peated sherry releases it is kinda simple. 👍🏻

[@davidowen2834]

Hi Geoff, good review and I agree on peated whiskies going somewhat flat in an open bottle after a time,so if I’m not intending to finish a bottle I decanter it into say, a 250 ml bottle , sterilise the bottle first,.put parafilm around the seal , label it and put it in my cellar that way the whisky doesn’t go flat . Have been doing this for years, also if I buy a newer version of a whisky that I’ve decanted I can compare them. Slàinte Geoff. P.S just finishing a Laphraiog triple cask that I decanted around four years ago, still very Laphraiogy 🥃👍.

[@Gwhisky]

That's a great practice, David. Admire the effort, as I'm entirely too lazy to do that myself. You much have amassed quite a collection of decanted whiskies down there! 🥃

[@davidowen2834]

@@Gwhisky Oh good question, around 100 I think +|- , also fill empty mini bottles ( way over 100) and these are used for blind tasting’s , when I’m in the mood.

[@briankinard4576]

I definitely agree with your thoughts on Laphroig losing its character quickly in an open bottle. I’ve found them losing all nuance except smoke after a short time in an open bottle. I actually tried a dram from an open bottle a few weeks ago and it literally just tasted like licking an old ashtray full of stale cigarette ashes 🤢

[@wouterblom7569]

Hi Geoff, good review. This one feels a bit too ‘doctored’ for me as well. But here’s what struck me: Laphroaig used to be ‘the most flavoursome of all Scotch whiskies’. But now the label reads: ‘ONE OF the most flavoursome…’. So I wonder what other distilleries they believe they share that top spot on the pedestal with? Cheers!

[@Gwhisky]

Lol why not email them and ask them what the other ones are? 😂

[@allenbt11]

Great episode. My preference is for the 16 or C/S. The more volatile flavor notes do seem to suffer from long oxygen exposure. You can try a CO2 wine saver in the bottle or vacuum cork. I'm not sure if its the power of suggestion, but I think some of my bottles benefit from that. Cheers.

[@Gwhisky]

Agree about the 16. It's an absolute beauty! The CS is my go-to Laph that isn't too expensive, too. Yeah I should get those CO2 things.... 🥃

[@VinegarAndSaltedFries]

There is a way to describe modern style coffee known as “CLEAN” it represents a clear distinction of flavors. So if you are suppose to taste blueberry, milk chocolate, and toffee a “Clean” brew of that coffee is clearly being able to pick out each of those flavors. I really think this whisky represents that descriptor well as you can clearly taste each note of , Peat,Wood,Sherry in a distinct flavor journey across your palette.

[@Paasken]

I dont have experience with my peated whiskies going flat like that, but I sure as hell am worried now 😅 Btw Geoff, some friendly criticism: much prefer to have a soft audio backtrack

[@gareth630]

Have a cask strength ready for you know when 🙂. Sherry I fell in love with Kilchoman Loch Gorm thanks to that Kiwi guy ;-) For me the quarter cask, doesn't loose anything but neither does Caol Ila Signatory. 🐿🐿🐿

[@superodfx]

I always find with quickly matured, hot weather region whiskies, that they are most delicious after first opening, and then usually go flat by half a bottle!

[@forwork2601]

What’s good G Unit? Another solid video. How would you compare the sweetness in this vs Lagavulin 16?

[@Gwhisky]

Despite the weaker specs, I think the Laga has better flavours and character. That will hurt some Laphroaig fans out there, but it's my personal take. 🥃

[@themole2024]

Laphroaig 10. Not sure how anyone can like it. But thank you for showing this version. I will stick to Port Charlotte 10 for a peated and nuanced dram.

[@jaime_hi-meh_not_jay-mee7095]

JW Black! I still had a couple of sips in the glass when I fell asleep. I woke up after a few hrs. Of course, the first thing any sound-minded person would do upon waking up is to finish what was left in the glass. It tasted like ashtray! And I don’t mean it in a peated way. Worst sip I’ve ever had.

[@lquirouette1]

I haven't tried this expression yet so thank you for your review. My go to for peat is Ardbeg Wee Beastie or Uigeadail or Lagavulin 16. I'm curious to know what is your most favorite peated whisky.

[@Gwhisky]

Can't say I have a single favourite. But typically I like Bunnahabhain Moine releases and Port Charlotte's Cask Exploration series. 🥃

[@trapperkcmo3460]

with laphroaig i get the same thing about going flat. the only exception was a bottle of 18yo that i bought in 2010 that held on for a long time and still delivered.

[@Gwhisky]

My 16 did a good job holding on. My 25 is still good too. Maybe an age thing... 🥃

[@levonhovhannisyan2181]

Totally agree. I do feel that smoky whiskies survive less in the open bottle, but Laphroaig in particular, in less than 6 months in the open bottle my Laphroaig 10 went too flat. Now I've got an open bottle of Caol Ila 12, which in 4 months went from a smoky single malt to an absolute tequila. I am really surprised not seeing this feedback a lot, because in a blind tasting I would consider this Caol Ila a pure tequila. I think I better make Maragrithas with it.

[@jonathanso86]

How does this compare with the px cask? I would imagine both will be similar…

[@Balkonwhisky]

Hello Geoff, I always have this one in my Stash and a Spare Downstairs😅. It hits my Sweet Spot besides of Kilchoman Sanaig and Ledaig Rioja Finish. Sometimes i like it a bit Louder and then i grab my Bottle of 11yo Williamson (IB of Laphroaig, CS and fulltime Sherry matured) which is almost Full Volume😜. Thanks for sharing your Thoughts and Opinion about this Expression. Greetings from Germany 😎🤘

[@Gwhisky]

Hey the loud sweet/peat whiskies definitely have their place. I love a good one, too, when the mood fits. Cheers! 🥃

[@NoteworthyWhisky]

I agree about the flattening out. I had a bottle of the Quarter Cask and it died in 6 months. That being said, my cask strength has been open for 5 and it’s holding up just fine. I suppose the ABV makes a difference. Great review! Cheers!

[@michaelwood3203]

Hi Geoff. Bit of a delayed response from me but your review has not gone flat despite exposure to the oxygen of KZbin. Actually, despite trying to be clever, I would be interested to know the Finlaggan CS stands up well against this Laphroaig. It might not be a direct comparison but given the price difference it would be good to know what you think.

[@Gwhisky]

Hi Michael. I've had much better luck with the Finlaggan. Cheers! 🥃

[@05kanishk]

Inclined to try this one. Lore and this side by side, which one would you pick?

[@Gwhisky]

Hard to say, as I'm going off of memory. Maybe Lore, but I really can't be sure. 🥃

[@laurentsteck6086]

I liked this laphroaig sherry. But not the best of all time. I have a Ardbeg Uigeadail that I haven't tested yet. I have to try it at some point. Cheers

[@barryfrombarnsley2790]

I have a recent bottle of Oogie that is ok, annoyingly I went to have one the other day and the cork was snapped off inside, so I need to work out what I’m going to do with it

[@IjovBaltinov]

Will appreciate if you'll do without water as well for neat drinkers.

[@thewhiskyscribe]

I wonder if the oxidisation of Laphroaig is a side effect of their potentially being chill-filtered.

[@Gwhisky]

Typically I think all the "processing" would stabilize it, but yeah I suppose it's possible. 🥃

[@Hellraiser-ni5qp]

For my taste, every single Whisky I tried so far improved in the first few weeks after opening it. It's only after more than one year - or even two - that I feel heavily peated Whiskys are getting worse.

[@eviltrain24]

I loved the Laphroaig 10 Batch 15 so much, I tried (but failed) to buy a back up bottle. I have the Sherry one from 2021 but haven't tried it more than twice. Don't really remember them as the sessions were in 2022. I have heard that Laphroaig can lose it verve over time but the juries out for me.

[@andynelson5864]

I, too, really enjoy Batch 15; Shane at Whisky Lock reviewed Batch 16 and felt it's very close to the 15.

[@Gwhisky]

I need to try the newer batches. The 14 was the last I had, and I've been told the 15 is better. 🥃

[@jialaiqian4335]

For me its definitely octomore 14.2. Still remembering the moment when i just opened it. It was full of surprise, a boomb of intense peat, layers of flavor. But after a month, when i revisit it. Not even close to what i remember. Peat smell and flavors faded so fast, only alcohol taste stand out

[@gordonhall9943]

I have the PX, and definitely prefer Uigeadail.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Not a fan of this one. I completely agree with you on Laphroaig not liking being open for too long. I need to time my opening of Laphroaig bottles to get the best out of them. I only open new bottles if I have a few guests coming over the course of the month or I'm going over somewhere. Otherwise they do tend to flat put pretty quickly. Peated Bunnahabhain on the other hand though stays strong for years! Cheers Geoff 🥃

[@Gwhisky]

Agree! I often have issues with Laphroaig, but basically never with Bunna! 🥃

[@osirisgolad]

Laphroaig does indeed die in the bottle pretty quickly, but what I've found even more offensive over the past few years is that many of their bottlings now smell like a log of mesquite wood that's been rotting in a swamp for a couple of years. I always have to let that godawful smell air out of the bottle, and then half of the other smells drift off along with it because it responds so rapidly to oxygen exposure. Maybe I'm especially sensitive to that particular smell, but it's the type of smell that awakens the primal part of my brain telling me to get away from it immediately because it's toxic. I wonder if they've changed something about how they burn or dry their peat in recent years that's causing that.

[@GlenLossie]

I just can't see myself springing $100 Canadian for the Sherry Cask when I can have other good peated for less - the Ardnamurchan Sherry Cask cost me $75 (though I was only allowed to buy one bottle).

[@xxacidmv]

Seems to be natural color occuring to their website "The sparkling gold appearance, natural colour and narrow trails on the glass all signal rich character."

[@Gwhisky]

Then I stand corrected. I checked a few European websites, which said it's coloured, but those are notoriously unreliable. Thanks! 🥃

[@barryfrombarnsley2790]

@@Gwhisky unless they state it on the bottle, I’d still not trust there to be no colouring added, if not at bottling then ‘seasoned’ casks. Until they state it on the bottle, we can’t be certain

[@lightplays2181]

Wow my favorite whisky ) its nice whisky , but 10 cs 56.5% is amzaing )))) Geoff gaumarjos !

[@vimalrajkappil]

I have read some where that according to "John Campbell" (the official face of Laphroaig Distillery) this wishky is not artificially coloured

[@Gwhisky]

That's possible. But quite a few European websites say there's colour added. Those aren't always trustworthy, though, so I can't be certain. 🥃

[@mtpanning]

@@Gwhisky I think it's not colored. I can't see from the video if you have a European bottling or not, but if it's a 70cl rather than a 750 ml bottle it probably is. If it's the EU bottling and not an export bottle, if you don't find the words "mit farbstoff" on the label, then it is definitely not colored. EU labeling requirements demand artificial color be noted on the label. If only they would make the same requirement for chill filtration. John Campbell left Laphroaig some time ago. He is now the master distiller at Lochlea Distillery. I've never had any of their stuff (or even seen it available) but I'd love to try it.

[@foodquig]

Of all peated single malt scotches, Bowmore 12 went flattest soonest for me...

[@GlenLossie]

Bowmore 12 goes flat on me as soon as I pour a second dram. It's the 40% don't you know, although, tp be fair, the Bowmore Small Batch was a better whisky and it too was 40%. Too bad it was discontinued.

[@davidcruz1682]

I do believe that Laphroaig tends to go down hill after is open pretty quickly I must say

[@johngilbert9420]

Triple wood was discontinued a few years ago...sadly

[@Gwhisky]

Ah had no idea. Thanks! 🥃

[@jwphubert]

I have mixed experience with open bottles. Generally, I have positive experience with them. Some have a tendency to go not just flat, but like more bitter or rancid at worst, tasteless at best. Those are generally entry level cheaper brands. For some, flavor tends to improve: more integrated, more round. For Laphroaig, the whisky is always good but it's like the boxer is putting his gloves on before the punch. If your kick is to get punched directly in the face, that might be disappointing.

[@ElieJobert-v2u]

Hello, this is the only way I can enjoy a bottle of Laphroaig : 6 mounth after opening 😂 Other experience : Port charlotte OLC 01! Lost all this power 2 weeks after opening... 😢. Still nice bottle, but not the same...

[@tiendang7480]

I found this one on German website that it is uncolored. Now few more without labeling "natural color", but uncolored like Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or and quinta ruban.

[@listenu]

Im finding any laphroaig, ardbeg, just isnt doing it for me the way they did when i began about 6 years ago. I find it a bit frustrating. This sherry oak neck pour is really not doing anything for me.

[@listenu]

But now I'm totally loving it 😍

[@olivierbeltrami]

Thought it was a bit thin

[@krassis6]

Here is what I found about this expression: Per John Campbell kzbin.info/www/bejne/faq4h3SBjNaGetU the cask breakdown of the Laphroaig 10 yr sherry is as follows: 25% fully matured in refilled Oloroso sherry hogs heads, 75% double matured: 9 years in ex-bourbon casks, 1 year in first filled Oloroso seasoned hogs heads. It is natural color and non-chill filtered. Cheers!

[@mtpanning]

This is a better version of the PX cask. I think the PX cask does let the distillate get overwhelmed by the sherry. This stuff is more balanced and less 'candied' than the PX, which looks like someone just poured actual liquid sherry into it. I haven't had any issues with Laphroaig going flat over time. Maybe I just chug it down too fast.... Lore is good, but waaaaay overpriced IMO...

[@penguinland666]

My friend, ALL of my peated whiskies are best when they were fresh. Full stop. Which is not the case with non-peated whiskies.

[@Gwhisky]

Yes but some go downhill much faster than others...

[@revolvermaster4939]

I like the whisky, but not the price.

[@BadgerJeff]

Balvenie Double Wood is losing its flavor. Every time I pour a dram, it tastes worse. I suppose it could just be me...

[@Gwhisky]

I had a better experience with the CS releases, as well as the more aged Laphroaigs. I can't say I've had issues with PC, although a lot of people seem to. Kilchoman is usually pretty reliable, too. I'm not sure how connected to abv the problem is, but it's very possible! Good call using the decanters. For science... 😉🥃

[@heavilypeted]

Laphroiag absolutely starts to fade (fairly rapidly) after it’s been opened, in my experience. When you open a Laphroiag the peat clock starts ticking ⏱️

[@Gwhisky]

Well said! 🥃