Laphroaig 2006 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Islay

Brand: Laphroaig 2006 (Coopers Choice) 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 6 Years

ABV: 46 %

Date: 23/12/2013

Colour: Pale Straw/White Wine

Nose: Quite Mellow actually for a young Laphroaig with Sweet Peat, light Smoke, Malt, Menthol, light Rubber, Espresso, Lemon, Straw, Heather, Grass, Dry Meat (Carne Seca), Salt and hints of Tar, Leather and Shell Fish. The Alcohol is nicely integrated, remarkable at this age.

Palate: Sweet and Spicy with Sweet Peat, light Smoke, light Iodine, Tar, Brine, Pepper, Salt, Nutmeg, Nuts, Lemon, Vanilla and hints of Rubber and Mint. The ABV of 46% is spot on.

Finish: Quite Long, Spicy but still Mellow with Sweet Peat, light Smoke, Tar, light Licorice, light Rubber, Brine, light Iodine, Vanilla, Nuts, Pepper, Salt and a hint of Pineapple.

I added a bit of Water and you get some extra Floral tones on the Nose. But the Palate and Finish become too Watery. Better sip this Laphroaig neat.

Rating: 84.5

Nose: 21 - Taste: 21 - Finish: 21.5 - Overall: 21 

General Remarks: The Laphroaig Distillery was built in 1810 and is located in Port Ellen on the isle of Islay. It's one of the few remaining distilleries that malt part of their Barley. Today it's part of Beam Incorporated from the USA.

The Single Malt we are tasting today was distilled in 2006 and bottled in 2012. It was matured by - and bottled for The Vintage Malt Whisky Co. Ltd under their brand name Coopers Choice. This Independent Bottler was founded in 1992 by Brian Cook, a guy with over 20 years of experience in the Malt Whisky Industry. It matured in an Ex-Bourbon Hogshead with Cask # 4361 and costs around 60 US Dollars. This whisky is naturally coloured and not chill-filtered.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: This is quite mellow for a 6 year old Laphroaig. Nice, inoffensive Sweet Peat, only light Iodine and quite a few Floral tones. The Sea is always close but never in an overwhelming way. Very nice Single Malt if you like Highland Whiskies and have just started to explore the peated Islays. If you are an experienced heavy Peat-Lover on the other hand I would advise you to look elsewhere. 

Jan van den Ende                                                      December 2013

I would like to wish all my Whisky Friends a Merry Merry Christmas! Enjoy it with your family and, of course, a very special dram! 

Cheers!

Jan