It’s hard to predict these batches of Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength. Usually there’s one batch per year, but in 2021 we had Batch 013 (January 2021), Batch 014 (bottled June 2021) and Batch 015 (December 2021). As far as I know that was the latest batch, nothing appeared in 2022.
The last batch I formally tried was Laphroaig 10 Years Cask Strength Batch 011.
Laphroaig 10 yo ‘Original Cask Strength’ (58,6%, OB 2021, Batch 014)
Nose: toasted oak, bandages and plenty of medicinal herbs up front. Coal smoke and dry ashy notes. Then green apple and citrus comes out, as well as subtle toffee notes and tobacco. Charred bacon, asphalt and whiffs of polished brassware.
Mouth: very coastal and savoury, with big iodine hints, a typical lemon and salt combination and a light woody astringency. Cedar or pine? In the background there are honeyed notes, hearty spices, grassy notes, chili and liquorice. Some tarry notes and medicinal hints. It feels a little unrefined now.
Finish: long and quite dry, with leathery notes, black peppercorns, charred wood and peaty sharpness.
Not bad, although it looses a few points due to the roughness on the palate. It seems more ashy and woody, resulting in a lower score than batch 011. Available from The Whisky Exchange among others.