Laphroaig 8 Year 2014 T8ke Virgin Oak Single Cask

Review #1035; Scotch #213

Laphroaig 8yr 2014 Single Cask Virigin Oak Heavy Toast

This bottle comes to us from Laphroaig, that famous distillery located on Islay in Scotland. This single barrel was selected by t8ke of Whiskeyraiders, r/bourbon, and the various other projects. This cask of peated single malt was put into a Virgin Oak cask and aged for 8 years before being bottled at cask strength with no additives and was non chill filtered.

ABV: 57.9%

Nose: Classic peat, fall vegetation, Vanilla, espresso, Black Pepper, Lemon Zest

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, fall vegetation, espresso, Black Pepper, Black Tea, Lemon Zest

Finish: Long finish, fall vegetation, iodine, espresso, black pepper, black tea, pop of vanilla

Rating: 7/10

Color me shocked. I came into this sample expecting to hate this. Virgin Oak and single malt has not been a combo I have enjoyed so far. Well the powerful peat flavor that Laphroaig is known for and that I love slammed that virgin oak into submission. The oak brings a nice bit of light sweetness from vanilla and spice that compliments the heavy peat and iodine flavors quite well.

However, I feel as though the pricing for these new releases needs to be mentioned. As good as this is to me, Laphroaig asking $250 for an 8 year old single malt is a non-starter for me. I know these spirits tend to be expensive (which among the reasons I drink more rum nowadays) but man, that is a tough price to swallow.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect