Alright, time to properly kick off the Whiskey Wednesday section with something that’s not terrible like Stroudwater. We, of course, decided the best course of action was to get on an international flight and pick up something from the duty-free. Since a trip there typically falls onto either an Auchentoshan or Laphraoig and we did Auchentoshan last time – here we go
This one is a great scotch to have neat, but it does quickly sour from a few pitfalls. Most notably not being good on the rocks, and while sure every whiskey will be better one way over the other, the hope is that both (while different) are good. Add that to an exclusive price and means of acquiring and we have a scotch that is great but comes so close to being really great.
What they Say: “Bottle: Created from four different oak barrels. Each imposes unique character into this golden, creamy peat-smoked Islay malt with warm toasted vanilla notes. Vigiliance and craftsmanship hold the key to this amazing fusion of flavours.
Box: Four different casks are selected by hand; ex-bourbon barrels, quarter casks, virgin American oak barrels and European oak hogsheads.
This complex combination creates a golden, creamy peat-smoked Islay malt with warm, toasted vanilla notes and hints of sandlewood, pine, fir and willow.
Vigilance and craftsmanship hold the key to this amazing fusion of flavours.”
Taste: 7.0 – The name of four oaks is meant for the cask, but you are certainly greeted by a peaty and oaky scotch.
Aftertaste: 7.0 – You just get waves and waves of smoke. It continues on for quite some time and is lovely.
Burn/Smooth: 8.0 – That is actually quite smooth, and with that smokey aftertaste there’s a bit of warming which on a colder rainy day like today is surely welcome.
Aroma: 8.0 – That is a deliciously peaty Islay. It’s not brutal of overwhelming and just bodes well for a good taste.
Honesty: 8.5 – Thankfully the bottle and box text are nearly the same makings it sounds less like overly pontificating and more just adding some detail so you can take one or the other. That being said there’s not a huge amount of wank, and it’s mostly a clean construction of descriptions. Add the Laphroaig name and prominence and this does well here.
Mixability: 4.0
W/ Rocks: 4.0 – It sort of condenses everything into a shorter but more potent burst of smoke. It’s actually a failure though because that long slow drawn out flavours just so much better.
Value: 4.0 – The problem is this is another travel exclusive, and above that, it’s a bit more pricey. The problem is that unlike the select which is comparable to this, the Four Oak is bad on rocks, meaning you should still likely get the select instead.
Google Shop Average: $67
Website: http://www.laphroaig.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 7.0
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Metric Score: 46.5/70 |+| Metric Average: 6.64 |+| Reviewer Average: 7.0
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Final Thoughts: This was the prize at the end of a journey home, and despite the flaws, it’s still very much a prize indeed. There’s likely to be a saying that we are ‘sluts for Laphroaig’ here at HBR, but we just appreciate it when someone is just good at their job, and that job is scotch.
Love it!