Some fun with Douglas Laing & co.

The nice guys over at D.Laing sent over a few samples of their peaty whiskies among them a Caol Ila, Laphroaig, and Bunnahabhain. What can be nicer for a peat-head like myself than to try those lovely ones in one session. Summer or winter (as long as you keep your house cool enough) it’s always a grand time for some Islay dramming. Starting with the least peaty (the bunny) then

Douglas Laing Provenance Bunnahabhain (Young & Feisty) 46% abv

Colour: Wow this one is so light, almost new makeish light. probably very young and 2nd fill casks…

Nose: very gentle. Pear drop and apple peel. Gentle wood and very light on smoke as in peat reek.

Palate: that’s more like it! Much more peat and smoke than was detected on the nose. BBQ and sweet peat. Bacon. With malt – getting bitter. With more peat and soot. Oily texture.

Finish :  smoke bitter peat. And Wood.

Douglas Laing Provenance Laphroaig 10 yo ,46% abv , £64

Nose: Mega peat reek with lots of sugars and sweeter notes too. Some sherry casks are involved methinks. Vanilla and those lovely medicinal notes we love so much in our Laphroaigs.

Palate: Lighter on the palate than I’d imagine. Sweet peat , fried bacon and pepper with a touch of cinnamon. Feels a bit too watered down. Although the flavours are  there it’s rather subdued for a Laphroaig. Not bad but different. Could be a nice introductory dram for newbies.

Finish : Long with wood fire. Peatand pepper. Drying.

Very nice examples of Islay, with the Laphraoig being very good, even if a bit lighter than the expected (not a bad thing necessarily).  A classic intro to Islay, for whisky nubiles as well as seasoned Islay whisky drinkers. It’s a hard choice between those two, if I had to chose I’d go for the Laphraoig, but only by a small margin.  A lovely evening it was.