Laphroaig Quarter Cask

It has been suggested that it means Hollow Broadbay, but that’s something that I can neither confirm nor refute, however what I can tell you is that it is the name of what is arguably one of the best known whiskies in the world: Laphroaig.

Found in the Islay region of Scotland, with its roots going back to 1810, Laphroaig is one of the big boys of the whisky world; known for its intense, smoky character. The bottle which I’ll be introducing you to today is known as Quarter Cask, which thankfully doesn’t mean that it was made out of quarters. What it does mean is that the barrels in which the whisky was matured were smaller than the industry standard, one quarter of the size of the barrels normally used by Laphroaig (would you believe it!), which the distillery claims gives the whisky more contact with the wood, hence a richer flavor.

And it’s no lie, either. Tasting it you wouldn’t think that this whisky is any younger than some of its siblings, the 10 and the 16 year olds, as the flavors are equally rich and well balanced. As with any full-bodied and smoky whisky, a few drops of water is recommended.

Eye: A warm, golden-yellow.

Nose: Unmistakably smoky from the start, followed by what a regular drinker of the distillers whiskys would expect: peat, a certain earthiness and salt, chased by a less noticeable sweetness.

Taste: Deliciously full-bodied and warm. The initial flavor is dominated by smokiness and hints of the earthiness mentioned above, along with licorice and a slight nuttiness. These flavors soon mellow into sweet undertones of buttery fudge and faint tickles of spice, with the smokiness blending smoothly with the other flavors throughout. As you swallow and feel its warmth working its way down your throat, it leaves you with a distinct taste of smoke and liquorice, and just a hint of toffee.

Want to buy this whisky? Available in: USA & World (click), UK & Europe (click)