Review #446 - Laphroaig Elements L2.0
After the initial release in the new Elements series in 2023, Laphroaig followed it up with Elements L2.0 in 2024. This is another experimental release, this time focusing on fermentation length. Typically, Laphroaig employs a 55 hour fermentation cycle; in the last year or two, they've worked to expand that toward 75 hours after increasing their distillery capacity. For this Elements series, however, they allowed fermentation to continue up to the 115 hour mark in some cases, or nearly 5 days.
By increasing fermentation times, the flavor profile of a whisky can change. Often, with these extra hours, whiskies can take on a more fruity, herbal, or effervescent side - in this case, Laphroaig was looking for extra tropical fruit flavors to balance their heavy peat smoke. On their website, they describe that a secondary fermentation starts around the 65 hours mark - that's when the extra fruit should be added.
The brand doesn't specify the cask types that were used for maturation on this release; there isn't an age statement, either, but we get a powerful strength of 59.6% ABV, or 119.2 proof.
Laphroaig Elements L2.0
Scotland/Islay - Single Malt
Price: USD 165 (2024)
Age Statement: NAS
Strength: 59.6% ABV
Details: Bottled 2024
Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times (once blind) over 2 months from a sample. Tasted in a Glencairn glass each time, rested 10-15 minutes
Nose: A definitive creamy, lactic note to start - vanilla yogurt, custard, creme brulee. Lemon combines with that creamy scent, creating a sort of lemon curd; behind that, ashy peat smoke and brine show more classic Laphroaig profile elements. It grows sweeter - caramel candies, icing sugar - and then subtle intricacies of lime sherbet and freshly baked bread arrive.
Palate: A medium-thick mouthfeel; quite warm, with spicy wood notes, lemon and orange citrus, pepper, and ashy peat. The creamy curd qualities of the nose are still here, but they're more subdued; it's musty and oily at times, and there's a savory note in the background. On later sips, mango and habanero come together.
Finish: Ashy, woody, quite smoky. Freshly ground cinnamon, dry vanilla, and lemon-lime soda add a bright, spicy side; sweet cream and orange combine in the aftertaste to create a sort of 'orange creamsicle' note. Medium-long and nicely rounded.
Final Note: This is quite good. For our palates, that extra fermentation didn't bring much more fruit, but instead added a ton of creamy vanilla notes - more sweetness, and more interesting than their standard distillate, with better balance. The classic Laphroaig peat is still there, but the sugary supporting flavors are amped up.
Value isn't quite as good, as this is a very expensive bottle. There's a lot of competition once you get to this price point - lots of amazing bottles available for $150 to $200.
Our Average Rating: 7.6 / 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: 5.53
About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.
Check out our other Laphroaig reviews:
Review #445 - Laphroaig Elements L1.0
Review #412 - Single Malts of Scotland Reserve Casks Laphroaig 7 Year
Review #299 - Laphroaig 16 Year
Review #168 - Laphroaig Select
Review #153 - Laphroaig Triple Wood
Review #127 - Laphroaig 30 Year
Review #40 - Laphroaig Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks
Review #39 - Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish
Review #22 - Laphroaig 10 Year Cask Strength Batch 13
