The Laphroaig distillery was founded in 1815 by Donald and Alexander Johnston and has a richly storied history on Islay. Though the distillery has changed ownership after passing out of the Johnston family’s hands in the mid-1950s, production has continued unabated. The current portfolio is large and made up of several age-statement offerings, some cycling in and out of availability, along with a few non-age statement whiskies. Few scotches are more common in liquor stores, restaurants and bars (and home bars), even those not specializing in whiskies, than the Laphroaig 10 Year. Because of its wide availability, it is often the first Islay or first scotch in general that some people experience. Another iconic feature of the brand is the Friends of Laphroaig, a brand loyalty program established in 1994 that purports to give the purchaser of every bottle of the brand a lifetime lease of a square foot of Islay, though the program was revamped in 2020. A popular feature of visiting the distillery is being shown one’s personal square foot while enjoying a dram.
Distillery: Laphroaig
Region: Islay
Age: 10 years
Strength: 40%
Price: $44.98
Location: Port Ellen
Nose: Lemon, oak, pineapple, suntan oil, coconut, cereal, smoke, peat, cinnamon, spiced rum
Palate: Peat, seaweed, tobacco
Finish: Ashtray, char
Comments: A few drops of water can be helpful but, with the relatively low strength, be judicious.
Adam – You always remember your first. The Laphroaig 10 was my introduction to Islay back in my very early days of scotch exploration, when my normal staples were the usual Glenfiddich or Glenlivet single malts. This roar of smoke and peat and brine was an assault in my mouth and I avoided the distillery for several years because of it, even after falling for other Islay malts like Ardbeg or Bruichladdich. It wasn’t until I tried the Laphroaig 15 and 18 at a tasting some years ago that I was inspired to give the 10 another chance. I’m happy I did, because my second attempt was much better than the first. After all this time and memory, I’m surprised at the strong citrus and fruit that come through on the nose, especially since this single malt’s reputation is all about peat and smoke. It’s there, certainly, but in a richer panoply of scents. It’s not until the palate that things narrow down to some peat and seaweed, wreathed in some light smoke before giving way to an ashy finish and that sour twist that I don’t particularly care for in younger Laphroaigs. While it is not my favorite Laphroaig or favorite Islay malt, it without question deserves a place as an icon of the island. It is affordable, widely distributed, and has some interesting elements without being overwhelming most of the time. I may not ever choose the Laphroaig 10 first among scotches or even Islay malts, but I’d happily drink one if offered and it would readily spring to my lips as a recommendation to others early in their scotch or Islay journeys and looking for a fine education.
Jenny – It’s fine. It doesn’t linger and dies pretty quickly.
Meghan – This is the Tomacco of Whisky. If you are not a Simpsons aficionado, Tomacco is the hybrid crop of tobacco and tomato that Homer inadvertently creates after dousing his farm land with plutonium. Tomacco is a fruit that is both unpleasant tasting and highly addicting. For me, that describes the Laphroaig 10: I don’t really like it but I can’t stop drinking it. There is a definite rift between the nose and the palate. The nose is like a display of very ripe tropical fruits, with touches of cinnamon and spiced rum, overlaid with the scent of classic Coppertone 2 suntan oil (Coppertone 2 is a pleasant scent memory for me). This whisky smells the way I imagine an inclusive tropical resort smells. The palate tastes of peat and tobacco; roughly what one expects a Laphroaig to taste like. It then finishes with a sour, ashy taste. A bit of water can help it out but it takes a lot of careful measuring, which is more hassle than is really worth. This is a scotch that you see at a lot of bars that aren’t known for their whisky selection. If there was a single malt starter pack for bars, you’d find the Laphroaig 10 in with the Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, and The Macallan 12 (or 18 if you upgrade). However, although the Laphroaig 10 works as a go-to Islay (it checks all those boxes), it should not be the introductory Islay it ends up often being. The Laphroaig peat is PEAT, which can be overwhelming and even repulsing to the unfamiliar. I have seen this whisky listed as part of a cocktail requiring a smoky scotch. That may be the best place for this offering.
This is the Tomacco of Whisky.
Michael – I think this hits a lot of elements I like in my winter scotch. The context which I’m drinking it would matter a lot. I’d happily drink this reading a book or chatting with a friend, rather than a focused whisky tasting. It’s not one I’d want to really focus on or have capture my attention, but I’d still enjoy it in the background while still offering the notes that I enjoy.
Ben – The nose is like when you get a tropical fruit flavor in some candies. It’s a go-to if you want heat and peat. I had it early on, but now I’ve grown up.
Kate – I get a cereal quality on the nose, like I can almost smell the mash bill. There’s a hint of sweetness, almost cinnamon.
Henry – On the nose, pleasant lemon, light peat, and juicy fruits predominate. The transition to the palate is slightly jarring. Smoke and char take over, and commandeer the finish, which lingers smokily.
