Tasting Notes

Producing WhiskyCast has given me the opportunity to taste some really amazing whiskies, and I’m pleased to share my tasting notes with you here. You can search my entire database of tasting notes from this page, and I hope you’ll find it useful.

Laphroaig QA Cask

Country: Scotland

Region: Islay

Type: Single Malt

Bottler: Distiller

ABV: 40%

Score: 89 Points

Laphroaig QA Cask. Image courtesy Laphroaig. This is a double-matured Laphroaig, starting off with the usual initial maturation in ex-Maker’s Mark Bourbon casks, followed by time in virgin charred American Oak casks — thus, the QA designation (Quercus Alba) based on the wood.

Initially available only in the travel retail market, the nose has the classic Laphroaig peat smoke notes with vanilla, heather, and honey. The taste is smoky with a lemony tartness, hints of the usual creosote and tar, along with heather, vanilla, and dark chocolate. The finish is long and smoky. (January, 2014)