Review #153 - Laphroaig Triple Wood
Not the Cairdeas release Triple Wood Cask Strength from 2019, but instead the 'standard' Triple Wood release, bottled at a respectable 48% ABV. This is a discontinued bottling (replaced theoretically by the 10 Year Sherry Oak release), but a couple of years later, we still see it floating around the shelves from time to time.
The name comes from the used of three cask types: ex-bourbon barrels, quarter casks, and Oloroso sherry casks. We should get some sweet notes from the bourbon casks, some fruity notes from the sherry casks, and likely also some stronger wood influence from the quarter cask piece - sounds like a well-rounded experience, at least in theory.
Laphroaig Triple Wood
Scotland/Islay - Single Malt
Current Locally Available Price: USD 80 (2023)
Age Statement: NAS
Strength: 48% ABV
Cask Makeup: American oak ex-bourbon barrels, quarter casks, and Oloroso sherry casks
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 5 months; bottles at 70%, 40%, and 20% fill levels at times of review. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: Plenty of peat and iodine up front, with coastal salt/brine and fresh wood, like cedar. It's a bit inky with some mild wine flavor, and then lighter fruits of lemon citrus and candied oranges come through. Damp earth after a rain, a driftwood campfire on the beach, and medicinal character are all relatively strong; the oak gets a lot stronger with time.
Palate: A bit oily with a medium thickness mouthfeel, and plenty of peat once again - strongly medicinal, and then it quickly takes on an ashy campfire character, with the strong oak influence adding a wood smoke element. Light fruits of lemon and orange, then red fruits, and then a green vegetal flavor behind those. Bits of vanilla and black pepper, but also a savory sauce - this had a lot going on.
Finish: Medium-long, with plenty of peat and oil hanging around the palate, though it isn't overwhelmingly smoky. Lots of coastal salt notes and plenty of oak, and a bit of orange and red fruit in the aftertaste; even later, hints of peppered barbecue on the grill.
Final Note: This was a solid Laphroaig - plenty of the medicinal peaty character that you would expect, with the nice additions of fruit and a strong oak note. Not the most complex dram in the world, but it is well-rounded with the variety of flavors. If you can still find a bottle, and the price is reasonable, it could be worth a shot - value is alright.
Our Average Rating: 7.0 / 10
In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.
Value Rating: 6.35
