Get inspired by the STARZ TV show Outlander and learn about whisky tasting through a Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch lineup
Jump to:
- Outlander started it all
- Discovering I like scotch
- Learning about scotch
- Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch
- The scotch tasting
- My Tasting Notes
- Laphroaig Select
- Laphroaig Triple Wood
- Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016
- Laphroaig Lore
- Laphroaig 10yr Cask Strength
- Questions asked and answered
- Final thoughts
- More peated whisky tasting notes
- Comments
I am a new scotch whisky drinker, and I'm learning about scotch.
Having developed a taste (and apparently a tolerance) for alcohol at a relatively late age (early 40s), I went from the sweet to dry white and red wines, then sweet to straight gin and vodka drinks, including perhaps a margarita or two.
But I only started trying scotch in September of 2015 after discovering (and then getting completely obsessed by) a little TV show on STARZ called Outlander.
Let me explain...
Outlander started it all
Outlander is a show about a married, time-traveling WWII nurse from 1945 thrown back to 1743 in Scotland where she meets a dashing Highland warrior just before the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. Actually, Outlander is a whole series of books and novellas by Diana Gabaldon, the first volume published back in 1992.
I have no idea how this book series passed under my radar for so long - my only explanation is that I had 2 young daughters at the time, and the Harry Potter series was very big in my house.
This show, now in its 3rd season, captivated me on many levels. There's the sci-fi time-traveling aspect, the history of Scotland (what was it that happened in 18th century Scotland that was so important anyway?). And to spice things up a bit, a sexy romance with an incredibly handsome leading man and gorgeous leading lady.
Having inadvertently fallen down the rabbit hole, I watched the entire first season, read all the books, discovered an online book club and various Facebook groups, started listening to the English History podcasts, and going to the New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival (another perk of living in Boston).
It was at this last event that I tasted single malt scotch for the first time.
Discovering I like scotch
Because I had become so obsessed with Scotland and Outlander, and on the show the people were always having a dram or two, I wanted to try scotch and like it.
Being a fangirl can be tough.
There was a tasting from the Laphroaig distillery at the first Highland Games that I went to. Simon Brooking, Laphroaig's US Whisky Ambassador, gave a wonderful presentation of the history of the distillery and details about each of the 4 bottles we were tasting.
They were big, smoky, peaty...and I loved it.
I admit now that I probably started in the deep end of the whisky pool after only drinking wine and vodka up to that time, but that's the point. There was flavor by the bottleful, and like wine, each distillery and each bottling carried its own charms.
I was hooked, and happy to be so.
Learning about scotch
After that first tasting, I started collecting notes as I tasted whisky and bourbon at restaurants, airports, and friends' houses because I wanted to remember what I liked and what I didn't.
And then...the notes disappeared. My 6 year old MacBookPro had started having hard drive issues, and eventually got so corrupted that, unbeknownst to me, the Notes app started writing over existing files.
After my laptop crashed, I was unable to recover those corrupted files, so over a year's worth of notes were gone. ** SIGH **
Ok, the reason for this website (finally!).
I love to learn, and learning can be a communal event (that's why tastings are so popular and fun). As I continue to try new and favorite single malt scotches, whiskeys, and bourbons, I'm going to write up my observations and share them with you.
So without further ado, here's my first entry...
Ok, just kidding, there's a little more ado.
You might be wondering why my website is called Scotch & Scones. What's this about scones?!? I'll explain why I love to bake another time.
This introduction has gone on long enough...
Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch
Laphraoig is one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, started (officially) in 1815.
It's located on the isle of Islay (pronounced "eye-la", meaning island. Yes, it's the isle of island) on the southernmost island of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, north of the Irish coast.
There's a strong ocean influence on the peat in the region, so when the malted barley is smoked, it's a heavy iodine-peat that inhabits the mash.
Of course, the different whisky will have different flavor profiles. These can be based on the amount of smoking that occurs, the type of cask and time in casks used to age the whisky, and grains used in the wort.
All these factors and more lend various characteristics to each expression.
The scotch tasting
Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors DTX, Boston, MA is a wonderful wine and spirits shop located across from Boston Common (DTX stands for Downtown Crossing, just so you know).
They have weekly Whisky Wednesday tastings, and the staff, led by Ken Gordon, are friendly and knowledgeable. I've been going to these events on and off for a couple of months, only having discovered it last Fall (alas, those early notes are gone, but we must soldier on...). There are even "regulars" that I've started to recognize and learn from.
These tasting notes are sparse, but they'll get better. I promise!
My Tasting Notes
Laphraoig Whisky Tasting
At Gordon's DTX, presented by Simon Brooking (yes, the US Whisky Ambassador, himself!), January 13, 2017
Laphroaig Select
40%ABV, Finished in bourbon and sherry casks
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Islay, Peated, Scotch, Sherry Cask Finish, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Taste: soft peat, smooth, not spicy
Laphroaig Triple Wood
48%ABV, Aged in American Oak ex-bourbon barrels, then 19th century Quarter Casks, and finally in Oloroso Sherry casks
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Islay, Oloroso Cask Finish, Peated, Quarter Cask Finish, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Taste: Peatier, a little briny, smoke lingers, some spice
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2016
51.6%ABV, Finished in bourbon and Madeira casks
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Bourbon Cask Finish, Islay, Madeira Cask Finish, Peated, Scotch, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Fruity
- Taste: Some peat and smoke, creamy, smooth and accessible, big finish
Comments
It has an accessible price, my favorite! This one I bought, and Simon was kind enough to autograph the bottle for me.
Laphroaig Lore
43% ABV, Designed to represent all of Laphraoig's flavors: smoky, peaty, floral, spicy, sweet, dry
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Islay, Peated, Quarter Cask Finish, Reused Peated Cask Finish, Scotch, Sherry Cask Finish, Single Malt, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Taste: Classic flavor profile
Comments
Very good, but most expensive of the flight (champagne taste, beer budget...). I hear it's a favorite of Sam Heughan (Outlander's star)!
Laphroaig 10yr Cask Strength
58% ABV
Type: Scottish
Keywords: Cask Strength, Islay, Peated, Scotch, Whisky
Tasting Notes
- Taste: Big, bold, smoke, peat
Questions asked and answered
Here are some questions you might have...
The best way to learn is to try it! Find a local liquor retailer or whisky club in your area and see if they hold tastings. Scotch may be too strong at first, but just keep an open mind and take a sip. You might be surprised as to want you like!
If the strength of the whisky is too sharp at first, putting in a few drops of water will help to soften the alcohol content and allow you to experience the flavors. You can always add more water, a little at a time, until it's right for you.
Scotch, whiskey, bourbon, tequila, most any spirit really, will have unique characteristics. Tasters take note of 3 main areas, the nose (the aromas of the spirits as they leach from the liquid), the taste (the initial flavors that the spirit imparts), and the finish (the flavors that are left lingering on the tongue). Everyone has a unique palate, so what you taste and smell will be different than me. It takes a little practice to be able to put words to flavors, but paying attention as you sip is the best way to start.
Final thoughts
When I took these tasting I wasn't planning to write about them. I'll be taking better tasting notes as I continue to gain experience and adjectives.
Here's to a long and happy blogging/reading relationship!
I hope you like this review! If you've tried any of the expressions and have your own tasting notes, please leave a comment. Thanks!
Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!
- Tammy
normsimonton says
Hello Tammy, wow what a good post about your first ever tasting with Simon, he is the best and at one of the tastings he even sang for us, not a bad voice could of been the scotch talking.
Laphroig as I've told you is one of my favorites. Big flavor big smoke, next tasting is the chieftains a collection of some great scotch that I think you'll enjoy plus whatever I bring.
See you then. I'm going to try and record the next one.
rita says
Nice post. Thanks for sharing this info.
Wawa says
Beautifully written. Although I'm not a Scotch drinker, I can appreciate hearing you talk about it and I'm trying to learn about it. As you know, I live with a Scotch drinker!
Beth Borenstein says
Great post, Tammy! What a great adventure you're having up in Boston, I can't wait to read further posts!
Darren M. says
Tammy, nice to meet you recently @ the Gordon's DTX store! I wish you the best in your journey with 'The Water of Life' - may you never stop exploring!
Tammy says
Very nicely written - can't wait to read more! See you in April!!!
adelegoodfellow says
Thanks for that Tammy. V interesting. Getting into Scotch recently- it was great to read your thoughts. Will need to start saving tasting notes too 🙂
Tammy says
Thanks, Adele!