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

Mortlach 2000 Review

Country: Scotland 

Region: Highland - Speyside

Brand: Mortlach 2000 (Coopers Choice) 

Type: Single Malt Whisky

Age: 10 Years

ABV: 46 %

Colour: Chardonnay Wine

Nose: Clean, Floral and Fruity with Honey, Dried Fruits, Artificial Cherry Flavour, light Oak, Vanilla, Milk Chocolate, Caramel, Malt, lightly Buttered Toast and Apricot Marmalade, light Spices and hints of Coffee and Licorice. The Alcohol is not yet fully integrated. 

Palate: Again, Fruity and Floral with Pear, Grappa, Honey, Heather, Caramel, light Oak, Malt, light Spices, light Licorice and a pinch of Salt.

Finish: Middle-Long and Warming with Malt, Caramel, Milk Chocolate, light Oak, Butterscotch, White Pepper and Winter Spices. 

The Mortlach 2000 does not improve with added Water. The ABV of 46% is spot on.   

Rating: 86

Nose: 22 - Taste: 21.5 - Finish: 21 - Overall: 21.5

General Remarks: The Mortlach Distillery was built in 1823 by James Findlater in Dufftown, Banffshire. Today it is owned by Diageo and forms an important part of Johnnie Walker Black and Double Black. Mortlach is currently expanding and by the end of 2015 production capacity will reach around 8 million litres. Mortlach Single Malts are not that easy to find. The Flora and Fauna 16 years is the only Distillery bottling. This is where Independent Bottlers come in play.

The Single Malt we are tasting today was distilled in 2000 and bottled in 2011. 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 Ex-Bourbon Hogshead # 9052 and costs around 65 US Dollars. Only 390 bottles were commercialised. This whisky is naturally coloured and not chill-filtered.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: A light, crisp, unpretentious but well-balanced Fruity and Floral Speysider that I enjoyed sipping. Excellent suggestion for an Aperitif on a warm Summer Day. Nice Coffee and Milk Chocolate Tones. Perfect ABV. Check it out if you can find it!

Jan van den Ende                                                           November 19, 2013