Review 126-128: Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength batches 003, 007, 009

Laphroaig is like that person you dated who always annoyed you, did stuff that upset you for no reason and in general, drove you crazy. However, you would go back to her just because the good times were always so good. I use this analogy because despite being listening to fans and putting out a cask strength NCF version of the 10, the load it with e150. Three different batches, all exactly identical in color.

Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Batch 003

Islay- 10- NCF- E150- Sample ($65) - 55.3%

Color - Tawny

Nose - Vanilla, burnt sugar and peat. Iodine, tar, floral

Palate - Peat, apples, anise, hospital

Finish - Medium - Bonfire, stewed fruit, green tomatoes, smoked salmon

Overall - 8 -

----------------------

Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Batch 007

Islay- 10- NCF- E150- Sample ($65) - 56.3%

Color - Tawny

Nose - Band-aids, geraniums, vanilla, raw pears- a weaker nose than normal frog, had to put my nose in the glass. Much lower on the trade mark medicinal peat

Palate - Peat, honey, apples

Finish - Medium - Waves of smoke, iodine, simple sugar, a touch of white fruit, bacon - Fantastic frog finish

Overall - 8.5 -

----------------------

Laphroaig Cask Strength 10 Batch 009

Islay- 10- NCF- E150- $65 - 58.1%

Color - Tawny

Nose - Vanilla, honey, sea shells, iodine, green tomatoes

Palate - Honey, apples, geraniums

Finish - Medium - Iodine, cooked meats, smoke clouds

Overall - 8 -

Thoughts - There was less vintage variation than I would expect, especially from the reviws I have read. I would rank them 7, 3, 9 but the difference between 3 and 9 was not material. They are all enjoyable. The 7 stood out as the clear winner and a cut above the others. They are standard Laphroaig profile, not complex, but just really damn enjoyable. I will continue to buy the 10 CS line and enjoy it, a must own for any Laphroaig owner.

----------------------

Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Laphroaig 6.9 (11)

Islay 6.3 (42)

Standard Deviation 0.90

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16