Review: Ardsmore and Laphroaig Quarter Cask Scotch

In my "So you want to learn how to drink Scotch" post, I talked about some of my early experiences with Scotch. In the single malt department, Aberlour was the first I tried, but didn’t drink it often.

The first Scotch (and a single malt no less) was Laphroaig.  Laphroaig is a Scotch from the Ilse of Islay and is known for its distinctive "burn" which comes from iodine. Iodine?

Yes, Iodine. The reason is that the casks are left out on the docks and the North Sea storms are allowed to wash over them. The end result is that sea water seeps into the barrels and leave the Scotch with a very distinctive taste.

When Colleen asked me to try Laphroaigh Quater Cask, I was expecting the same harsh burn and the"regular" version. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The Quarter Cask, is smooth with amazing smoky and peaty flavours. Very subtle and with nary a trace of the Laphroaigh burn. That said, this is a water Scotch.

Without a splash of water, it has a funky band aid taste. I know, strange. The water just brings the flavours out.

Contrast this with Ardmore. Ardmore is another single malt that is as different as night and day when compared to Laphroaigh.

I found Ardmore to be almost too smooth for my taste, not enough of the Scotch bite that I like.  That said the non-Scotch drinkers (aka unwashed heathens) found that it was nice and could enjoy a finger or two with ice.

Both of these Scotches are in the middle cost price range, personally I’ll be picking up a bottle of the Quarter Cask to enjoy as a special treat now and then.