Since we’re on a Laphroaig reviews roll let’s review the (almost) latest Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength batch – Batch 013 which was bottled in January 2021 but was released in the summer, later than expected as previous editions were released during Spring.

Batch 013 was the latest batch available when I tasted it at the distillery a few weeks ago. This was used to be a yearly release that comes out around Spring each year but earlier this month, out of nowhere, we greeted a new batch (014).

Anyway, until I get a bottle of the 014 batch (one is already en route), let’s check out this 013 batch (shall we call it the Bar-Mitzva edition?) and see how it compares to the previous batches (see the 010/011/012 batches review for a quick refresher course).

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength Batch 013 (57.9%, £69.95)

Photo: thewhiskyexchange.com

Nose: Honeyed peat smoke, vanilla, a very creamy nose and no dry smoke bomb here. Hint of fruitiness, smoked Mulard. seaweed, bandages – very classic characteristics. After a few minutes we do get that dry peat smoke but thankfully it’s not overpowering along with tar and ashy smoke.

Palate: Boom, far more smoke, ashes and tar but not too dry. honey,  fruitiness, seaweed, TCP and disinfectant, bandages, medicinal as I expect it to be, pine needles and mint freshness, white pepper and allspice.

Finish: Long finish, semi dry peat smoke, honey, vanilla, bandages, gentle green fruitiness, pine needles and mint freshness.

Thoughts: Another good classic Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength edition. The core is very similar to batch 012 just without the red fruitiness and the addition of pine and mint freshness. Besides the 011 batch which was a blip all recent batches were excellent and this one isn’t out of line and I’m happy to have a bottle of this batch signed by John Campbell. Now to wait for batch 014 bottle…