Distillery/Brand: Laphroaig
Region: Islay
ABV: 40%
Colour: Gold

Nose: 22
Taste: 20
Finish: 20
Balance: 20

Review
I’ve been closely following these Travel Retail exclusives from Laphroaig and have managed to try them all. First the PX (which is excellent) and now this, the QA. The QA stands for Quercus Alba which is basically the latin name for American white oak.

The Laphroaig QA is ex-Bourbon spirit which has seen a final maturation in new American white oak casks. The idea was to give the peated spirit that warm vanilla and chocolate glow that comes from new American oak. The actual result? A complete mess.

Nose: Nicely Laphroaig, I must admit. It has the right balance of peaty smoke, that familiar iodine, a touch of citrus and wonderful hints of warm vanilla. My favorite part of the malt.

Palate: Comes and goes in a flash and refuses to stake any sort of claim. The light bodied sugar water with hints of citrus is one of the most disappointing experiences to ever come out of this great distillery. Quite sad actually.

Finish: An equally disappointing finish has some spice and a touch of oak.

This is not worth your money folks. For this price I would recommend a Laphroaig 10 and a Quarter Cask. Together. And I would recommend re-naming the QA. I think they should re-name it Quite Abysmal.

Rating: 82