10 yo Laphroag + ex-Oloroso casks = Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish. Laphroaig + sherry is a combo that works incredibly well and is something collectors go nuts for in the Indie market. Indie Laphroaig is pretty dang expensive these days, but if it’s been aged, or even finished, in sherry you can easily tack on an extra 20-50%+ to the price over an ex-Bourbon cask.
Though it’s not even just the indies people are going nuts for these days, even older OBs are getting crazy. 90s Laphroaig 10 go for $200+ regularly and early batches of the 10 CS will go for $300-$500!
The whisky collecting world has fallen in love with Laphroaig and is pushing prices into Ardbeg territory quickly; this is why I’m happy to see Laphroaig release this Sherry Oak release on its own and under $100. I wish they didn’t use caramel coloring in it, but setting that aside, on paper, it seems like this should be a killer whisky.
But as we all know, paper and reality don’t always agree and as far as I know, there’s only one real way to get to the bottom of any whisky. So let’s get to drinkin’ and see how paper and reality net out.
Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish – Details and Tasting Notes
Whiskey Details
Style: Single Malt (Scotch)
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Laphroaig
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, ex-Oloroso
Age: 10 years
ABV: 48%
Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish Price: $90
Related Whiskies
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2022 Pedro Ximenez
Laphroaig Lore
Laphroaig Select
Laphroaig Brodir
Laphroaig An Cuan Mor
Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish Tasting Notes
EYE
Drying blood
(German websites list it as having color added)
NOSE
Sherry, copper, cinnamon, malt, smoke, nuts, citrus peels, plastic and touch herbal and inky/iodine.
This is a deep dark aroma that aligns a bit on the metallic side.
PALATE
Sherry, copper, cinnamon, graham, smoke, nuts, citrus peels, plastic and touch herbal and inky/iodine.
They’re nearly identical in profile, but there’s a combination of notes on the palate that reminds me of Cinnamon Toast Crunch… I haven’t had that in 20+ years.
FINISH
Long -> Smoke, herbal spice, sherry, copper, dried fruit and saline.
BALANCE, BODY and FEEL
Good balance, med-full body and a lightly oily feel.
Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish – Overall Thoughts and Score
Yup, I like it. I could sit and sip this sherried Laphroaig all night long… and I have. I bought this bottle to a small, outdoor, group hangout and even though I tasted other stuff on the table I ended up sipping on this for most of the evening, and so did everyone else. It’s the peat n’ sweet combo whisky folks seem to love.
I do wish this was done at natural color. I love seeing the unadulterated color and mentally cataloging it compared to the flavor and aroma. Regardless, this Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish is good and I’m going to enjoy what little is left in this bottle.
SCORE: 4/5 (good, definitely recommend ~ B+ | 87-89)
Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish Review $90
Summary
Sweet and smoky with a great balance and rich character.
Overall
4- Nose (4)
- Palate (4)
- Finish (4)
- BBF (4)
