This is my first Laphroaig and first peated whisky (although I've bought myself Lagavulin 16, Caol Illa 12 and Talisker 10, they're on the waiting). I've seen may reviews about the peaty Islay whiskey, and I knew what I was getting into, but I have to say, that smell caught me off guard. The intensity of a smoked ham, cigarette smoke, some medicine/sanitizers (i guess that's what "fenols" are). I tell you, it blew me away, that first dram. But on the taste, it wasn't that aggressive. It had that malty taste, vanilla, fruits, and smoke from the nose of course. And it remaied in my mouth, and my nose too for a long time. I tell you, itt was a shocking thing, nice all in all, but very shocking, despite all the mental preparation. I hope that I helped all the whiskey fellows out there who are thinking about that first Laphroaig step.
Just opened a bottle of this, a present from my wife, for our 30th wedding anniversary. I’ve tasted many a whisky, but this knocked my socks off, how peaty??? I must have not had much peaty whisky in the past.....I did not like it at first, the smell is amazing, but I thought I had just licked a lump of coal. However, add a splash of water, take your time and other flavours come to the fore. I’m more a mellow malt drinker, of that I have no doubt.An acquired taste, that’s for sure, but I’ll not dismiss it just yet. I think a glass or two more this evening should convince me of it’s worth! This guy seems to know his stuff, a great review.
I always buy what I want and then watch this as a virtual tasting... love the clips, and love the Laphroaig Select. Please keep them coming so I can keep matching.
I Like it alot!! It tastes mature and complex, just as mentioned above. This is the perfect summer dram, it paires well with seafood and lager, wit, blonde, saison belgian beers. In my opinion its better than Laphroaig 10 years in coplexity. I must admit that the Quartercask is better..... in fall or winter. But Select has all that Laphroaig peatiyness Dna. I recommend it at the price, and also I prefer Select before Ardbeg Perpeteruum at any time. The new oak gives a beautyful oilyness almost Rancio as in cognacs, it doesent have the longest finish, but it has that oilyness lingering.
I've got say out of the 'bottom' of the typical peaty smoky whisky range, Arbeg/Talisker/Bowmore/Laphroaig/Caol Ila/HP this is just so impresive for bank for buck. In my neck of the woods the others, 10 yo, 12 yo, QC expressions are on avg about 40% more expensive than the Select. And for my tastes, the Select hits all the notes in a glorious symphony. Cheers
Excellent review. It’s my first bottle of this and I’m very pleasantly surprised with the depth of flavors at only 40% abv. I’m a Select fan here on out. Love your reviews
Picked up a bottle of this yesterday and it truly is a delight. I'm an Ardbeg guy, but when I want to switch up the available Islay in my area, I'll be picking one of these up for certain.
Go for quality and order online a cask strength Laphroaig 10 you will not regret it. And you're an ardbeg guy well that's a good taste you have👍I like the uigeadail, corryvreckan, the wee beastie, the 10 and some others that I yet have to buy a bottle off but that I tasted allready in a whisky bar. Also pick up Lagavuling. Try the 8 in stead off the 16. I like the 8 a lot. But yeah it's all personal taste. Cheers mate🥃
Select was my first attempt to enjoy a whisky , I can't stand bells or teachers and over the years I concluded that I just don't like whisky but that first dram of Laphroaig changed my mind and I love heavily peated Islay's . I have several unopened expressions of Laphroaig in my cabinet but I always have an open bottle of select on hand . Simply amazing
Sweet smoke fire roasted fruits, licked quality cigar ashtray-sea salt brine oak vanilla cinnamon, malty cereal notes come through too.........Insanely complex smoky intense for a 40%. Peat smoke remains in the mouth LONG after the last sip---WHAT A GEM!!! I have purchased this a few times now and typically have a bottle of it around. WELL WORTH IT FOR AROUND $40 AFTER TAX WHERE I FIND IT....... CHEERS!!!
interesting how so many people talk trash on Laphroaig Select and recommend people not to buy it, but Horst really liked it. I started to look at this Laphroaig with skepticism but then saw a bottle in Tesco for 20 quid and thought it's so ridiculously cheap I need to try it. Worth every penny
I wonder if maybe its because people compare it to whiskeys of a much higher price. Now countries vary. So maybe this is more or less the same cost as the 10 y/o. But at least in sweden the Select is about 14% cheaper. Which is not massive since the 10 isnt exactly an expensive whiskey. But it certainly is an amount that matters. I've also seen a fair amount of whiskey people that even puts the Select ahead of the 10 y/o on simply taste. So yeah, I am leaning towards picking this up over the 10 y/o despite the small difference in price
I've tasted Lagavulin 16 and Talisker 10 before which I love, but this Laphroaig I'm trying for the first time has something extra, really enjoy it. I like to taste it in the companionship of Mr. Lüning.
Thanks for helping me to not throw out the bottle…… I normally like Irish whiskeys, like the bushmills 10 so to try the select was a real shock. I’ll take my time to develop my palette.
I saw many people say they are turned off by the peatiness. However i found myself cannot get enough of the saltiness and sea spray and peat. My first two songle malts are Laphroaig 10 and Arsbeg 10, and my only complaint is they are not peaty enough. Love these islay stuff. However after trying the peaty side of scotch, i bought a bottle of sherry seasoned Tamdhu 12, and the sherry sweetness really turned me off. Kind of taste like Cognac which i don't like. In the future i will definitely stick to the islay style. I guess everyone's taste is different.
Agree with comments. Consider the comment about not being bitter. I thought about this and then realized the comment below from Jesse describing the "cigar ashtray" -sea salt brine flavour , was what I was tasting. A brilliant description. Laphroaig is still my foundation wrt Islay peated whiskies. Enjoyed this. Quarter cask brings a bit more fruitiness.
I have just received this one from my friend from UK - I can't wait to open it :) Thanks for review Horst! Now I know what I can expect from it. Cheers!
Just picked up a bottle two days ago......Taking some time to get to know this one------indeed complex and something different hitting the taste buds each time I approach it.....Excellent and I like it better than the 10 year expression which is also good in it's own right.......
I tried this today. Was very medicinal tasting. Was quite smooth to sip. Wasn't unpleasant, but definitely not something I'd consider a daily whisky. Though at least I can I've had an Islay now
I found this one very nice indeed, although very typical of islay whiskies, the peat is prominent...not as prominent as say, a lagavulin but delicious none the less.
I've tasted this whisky just after the triple wood.....its really really mild and made me understand even more than before that i really love the peat xD I would say its the most mild balanced whisky ever tasted.
I really just wish they bottled this one at least at the same 43% that we get the standard 10 here in the states... Just feels like they're skimping a bit with the NAS and low ABV... And it's not much cheaper than the 10 year near me.
So much knowledge in every review. Laphroaig is my favorite whisky. The 10 is just fine. Love quarter cask. Never had the Select. But I enjoy the others so much I'm reluctant to try it.
The Select expression is likely one of my all time Laphroaig favorites.... SUPER complex on the palate that it damn near doesn't really matter it's only at 40%abv...... The 10 year is a gem too and the quarter cask (to me) was almost too much-------toning it down with a teaspoon or less of choice spring water opens up the quarter cask quite nicely I must say though..... I say go for it and check out the Select... SLAINTE!
amazing review sir! like always love your reviews! if its not to much to ask what are your top 5 peated single malts i have found out we have the same taste in whisky only differing a little.
I actually like this one better than the 10 year version------just seems a bit more complex and flavorful (not to say the 10 year is bad whatsoever---very good in it's own right)----but for whatever reason my taste buds REALLY like this one. My favorite expression from Laphroaig thus far................
@Jeg Hunckel Talisker Storm is indeed a GREAT malt. I found the 10 year old only a few dollars more and bought it (only recently) and discovered that I love the 10 year too-----perhaps a bit more so than the storm expression....
A well balanced review, but I'm a little disappointed by this whisky. Laphroaig 10yo remains my favourite tipple. In comparison, this is much tamer. Whereas the 10yo has huge, pungent phenols, this is vastly weaker. Don't get me wrong, on its own terms it's still a great whisky, and it's considerably cheaper than the 10yo. But for those who love the 'real deal' and think this will be similar but a little more affordable, no, it's rather different in character. It's good, but not the 'old friend' I'm used to...
With Select they are bridging the gap between strongly peated Laphroaig 10 and unpeated whiskies. Consider Select a friendlier Laphroaig if the 10 is too smoky for you, but you would like to venture a little into peated scotch.
This is my first Laphroaig and first peated whisky (although I've bought myself Lagavulin 16, Caol Illa 12 and Talisker 10, they're on the waiting). I've seen may reviews about the peaty Islay whiskey, and I knew what I was getting into, but I have to say, that smell caught me off guard. The intensity of a smoked ham, cigarette smoke, some medicine/sanitizers (i guess that's what "fenols" are). I tell you, it blew me away, that first dram. But on the taste, it wasn't that aggressive. It had that malty taste, vanilla, fruits, and smoke from the nose of course. And it remaied in my mouth, and my nose too for a long time. I tell you, itt was a shocking thing, nice all in all, but very shocking, despite all the mental preparation. I hope that I helped all the whiskey fellows out there who are thinking about that first Laphroaig step.
Caol Illa 12 is one of my favorites ...wish I could find the Laphroaig select near me
Just opened a bottle of this, a present from my wife, for our 30th wedding anniversary. I’ve tasted many a whisky, but this knocked my socks off, how peaty??? I must have not had much peaty whisky in the past.....I did not like it at first, the smell is amazing, but I thought I had just licked a lump of coal. However, add a splash of water, take your time and other flavours come to the fore. I’m more a mellow malt drinker, of that I have no doubt.An acquired taste, that’s for sure, but I’ll not dismiss it just yet. I think a glass or two more this evening should convince me of it’s worth! This guy seems to know his stuff, a great review.
I always buy what I want and then watch this as a virtual tasting... love the clips, and love the Laphroaig Select.
Please keep them coming so I can keep matching.
I Like it alot!! It tastes mature and complex, just as mentioned above. This is the perfect summer dram, it paires well with seafood and lager, wit, blonde, saison belgian beers. In my opinion its better than Laphroaig 10 years in coplexity. I must admit that the Quartercask is better..... in fall or winter. But Select has all that Laphroaig peatiyness Dna. I recommend it at the price, and also I prefer Select before Ardbeg Perpeteruum at any time.
The new oak gives a beautyful oilyness almost Rancio as in cognacs, it doesent have the longest finish, but it has that oilyness lingering.
I've got say out of the 'bottom' of the typical peaty smoky whisky range, Arbeg/Talisker/Bowmore/Laphroaig/Caol Ila/HP this is just so impresive for bank for buck. In my neck of the woods the others, 10 yo, 12 yo, QC expressions are on avg about 40% more expensive than the Select. And for my tastes, the Select hits all the notes in a glorious symphony. Cheers
Thank you Horst. I'm actually watching this video with a dram of Laphroaig Select in my hand--it's my standard whisky!
im having a dram laphroag select in my hand atm aswell, new to laphroag and i knew it was a bit less strong then the 10y one's. great stuff!
hi, i m from Hong Kong and I just bought a battle of it and watch yr video with it
Wai Keung Yip 飲杯！
what did you think of it
Excellent review. It’s my first bottle of this and I’m very pleasantly surprised with the depth of flavors at only 40% abv. I’m a Select fan here on out. Love your reviews
Such a good review in contrast to others. Thank you for reviewing this scotch for what it is, not for what it is not!Fantastic good sir.
Picked up a bottle of this yesterday and it truly is a delight. I'm an Ardbeg guy, but when I want to switch up the available Islay in my area, I'll be picking one of these up for certain.
Go for quality and order online a cask strength Laphroaig 10 you will not regret it. And you're an ardbeg guy well that's a good taste you have👍I like the uigeadail, corryvreckan, the wee beastie, the 10 and some others that I yet have to buy a bottle off but that I tasted allready in a whisky bar. Also pick up Lagavuling. Try the 8 in stead off the 16. I like the 8 a lot. But yeah it's all personal taste.
Cheers mate🥃
Not to mention the camp fire smoke !! gets better the longer you leave it to Breathe, The nose is phenomenal.
Select was my first attempt to enjoy a whisky , I can't stand bells or teachers and over the years I concluded that I just don't like whisky but that first dram of Laphroaig changed my mind and I love heavily peated Islay's . I have several unopened expressions of Laphroaig in my cabinet but I always have an open bottle of select on hand . Simply amazing
Sweet smoke fire roasted fruits, licked quality cigar ashtray-sea salt brine oak vanilla cinnamon, malty cereal notes come through too.........Insanely complex smoky intense for a 40%. Peat smoke remains in the mouth LONG after the last sip---WHAT A GEM!!! I have purchased this a few times now and typically have a bottle of it around. WELL WORTH IT FOR AROUND $40 AFTER TAX WHERE I FIND IT....... CHEERS!!!
Just got this as a present for my 20th birthday, pretty exited to try it!
interesting how so many people talk trash on Laphroaig Select and recommend people not to buy it, but Horst really liked it. I started to look at this Laphroaig with skepticism but then saw a bottle in Tesco for 20 quid and thought it's so ridiculously cheap I need to try it. Worth every penny
I wonder if maybe its because people compare it to whiskeys of a much higher price. Now countries vary. So maybe this is more or less the same cost as the 10 y/o. But at least in sweden the Select is about 14% cheaper. Which is not massive since the 10 isnt exactly an expensive whiskey. But it certainly is an amount that matters. I've also seen a fair amount of whiskey people that even puts the Select ahead of the 10 y/o on simply taste. So yeah, I am leaning towards picking this up over the 10 y/o despite the small difference in price
I've tasted Lagavulin 16 and Talisker 10 before which I love, but this Laphroaig I'm trying for the first time has something extra, really enjoy it. I like to taste it in the companionship of Mr. Lüning.
Thanks for helping me to not throw out the bottle…… I normally like Irish whiskeys, like the bushmills 10 so to try the select was a real shock. I’ll take my time to develop my palette.
I saw many people say they are turned off by the peatiness. However i found myself cannot get enough of the saltiness and sea spray and peat. My first two songle malts are Laphroaig 10 and Arsbeg 10, and my only complaint is they are not peaty enough. Love these islay stuff. However after trying the peaty side of scotch, i bought a bottle of sherry seasoned Tamdhu 12, and the sherry sweetness really turned me off. Kind of taste like Cognac which i don't like. In the future i will definitely stick to the islay style. I guess everyone's taste is different.
The nose is amazing but I feel let down when I take a sip. Will have to try one of the higher priced bottles
Frog 10
got a bottle of this yesterday for my birthday. love peaty malts. This should be a delight. loved your review
Like this more that Ardbeg 10 which has too much peat. Peat is why I now prefer scotch over bourbon.
Agree with comments. Consider the comment about not being bitter. I thought about this and then realized the comment below from Jesse describing the "cigar ashtray" -sea salt brine flavour , was what I was tasting. A brilliant description. Laphroaig is still my foundation wrt Islay peated whiskies. Enjoyed this. Quarter cask brings a bit more fruitiness.
I do agree with Horst. The ABV should have been 43% or higher for intensity.
This is my all time favorite
Smells and tastes amazing but needs a bigger punch. You're correct in your assessment that this needs to be at a higher abv.
I have just received this one from my friend from UK - I can't wait to open it :)
Thanks for review Horst! Now I know what I can expect from it. Cheers!
Fantastic video. I bought a bottle a couple of days ago and it’s been enough to fall in love with this whisky. Slàinte!
Am I the only one to have heard Horst say ‘’Laphroaig Select 40 years old’’ at the beginning of the video ? 😄
Just picked up a bottle two days ago......Taking some time to get to know this one------indeed complex and something different hitting the taste buds each time I approach it.....Excellent and I like it better than the 10 year expression which is also good in it's own right.......
I tried this today. Was very medicinal tasting. Was quite smooth to sip. Wasn't unpleasant, but definitely not something I'd consider a daily whisky. Though at least I can I've had an Islay now
I found this one very nice indeed, although very typical of islay whiskies, the peat is prominent...not as prominent as say, a lagavulin but delicious none the less.
I've tasted this whisky just after the triple wood.....its really really mild and made me understand even more than before that i really love the peat xD I would say its the most mild balanced whisky ever tasted.
the cask they use is Maker's Mark
Sipping on this as I watch this review, it is a nice smoky whiskey. No trouble finding this one in the USA.
I really just wish they bottled this one at least at the same 43% that we get the standard 10 here in the states... Just feels like they're skimping a bit with the NAS and low ABV... And it's not much cheaper than the 10 year near me.
I like the 10 year much better personally
"I'm not sure.....AHHHHhh!!!" - Horst Leuning on Laphroaig Select
So much knowledge in every review. Laphroaig is my favorite whisky. The 10 is just fine. Love quarter cask. Never had the Select. But I enjoy the others so much I'm reluctant to try it.
The Select expression is likely one of my all time Laphroaig favorites.... SUPER complex on the palate that it damn near doesn't really matter it's only at 40%abv...... The 10 year is a gem too and the quarter cask (to me) was almost too much-------toning it down with a teaspoon or less of choice spring water opens up the quarter cask quite nicely I must say though..... I say go for it and check out the Select... SLAINTE!
amazing review sir! like always love your reviews! if its not to much to ask what are your top 5 peated single malts i have found out we have the same taste in whisky only differing a little.
Can’t find any Laphroaig 10 in my area lately. Is the Select a suitable alternative?
40 years old?
40 years old??
That’s what I thought he said
don't blame horst it probably wasn't his first review of the day lol
i heard that too... i guess he was trying to say 40%...
Hi Horst thanks for the review. Do you recommend this whisky for Laphroaig fans?
Its not the best Laphroaig, but it is definitely a good one. The Quality/Price ratio is very good. It's a good "every other day" dram.
@@Baroque-Handel *before church full bottle to down
good praxis trust me
Shame its only 40%..no contest with the great Quarter Cask!!
Try the Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength, around 58% ABV more or less, depending on which year's batch you get.
Hey, so how would you compare the "Select" against the 10 year old??
I actually like this one better than the 10 year version------just seems a bit more complex and flavorful (not to say the 10 year is bad whatsoever---very good in it's own right)----but for whatever reason my taste buds REALLY like this one. My favorite expression from Laphroaig thus far................
@Jeg Hunckel Talisker Storm is indeed a GREAT malt. I found the 10 year old only a few dollars more and bought it (only recently) and discovered that I love the 10 year too-----perhaps a bit more so than the storm expression....
A well balanced review, but I'm a little disappointed by this whisky. Laphroaig 10yo remains my favourite tipple. In comparison, this is much tamer. Whereas the 10yo has huge, pungent phenols, this is vastly weaker. Don't get me wrong, on its own terms it's still a great whisky, and it's considerably cheaper than the 10yo. But for those who love the 'real deal' and think this will be similar but a little more affordable, no, it's rather different in character. It's good, but not the 'old friend' I'm used to...
Witch one do you prefer of the QA cask and the Select?
the QA obviously
Should I buy this or the 10 year old Laphroaig
I particularly enjoyed this one, so I reckon you won't be disappointed, regardless of what one you buy.
10 would be better. This one is young and rough.
@@MrSupplementScene it's far from rough.
With Select they are bridging the gap between strongly peated Laphroaig 10 and unpeated whiskies. Consider Select a friendlier Laphroaig if the 10 is too smoky for you, but you would like to venture a little into peated scotch.
Try both
Taste like Apple, smoke, maple bacon to me
I actually prefer this to the 10,sweeter finish
is it uncoloured?
Yes, natural colour, according to the description
Laphroaig Select or Laphroaig 10 yo
Special taste but lacks power imo.
How does anyone listen to this guy swish whiskey around in his mouth...half of his episodes are mouth and nose noises.
Other that I enjoy the reviews, to be fair.
This was this first whiskey which made me sick for the entire weekend. It’s smell is intolerable. It smells like hospital sanitizer (Dethol).
I really don't understand the hospital sanitizer smell. Perhaps you got a dodgy bottle/batch?
new to peat aren't ya
Just bought a bottle. I thought it was a bit pricey,so I hope it's good.....bottle of shit. Ashtray....never again.
This stuff would put anyone off whiskey for life. It should be used for disinfecting hospital floors, not drinking 😂
... a bit wordy.
40 years old??