Laphroig & Bowmore Re-visited

We first did a Laphroaig/Bowmore event with Matt Jones way back in 2018, and as many members love these brands, we felt it time for a revisit 7 years later! Working with James Neil and Mike Mclean of Beam Suntory, we pulled together an incredible line-up for both brands. We started with a trio of Bowmore 15 expressions, all showcasing different styles of sherry influence. … Continue reading Laphroig & Bowmore Re-visited

2020 Holiday Whisky Gift Guide

2020 has been quite the year, and your Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Festivus celebrations are likely to look a little different than normal, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be buying whisky for your friends and family! We’ve put together an updated 2020 Gift Guide to help you find the best options at the LCBO! WHISKY $61 AND UNDER Wild Turkey 101 – a great bourbon for $38 currently … Continue reading 2020 Holiday Whisky Gift Guide

Laphroaig Distillers Wares Tour

It’s the final true day on Islay, and to finish this journey off with a bang I decided to leave the most anticipated tour for last: the Laphroaig Distillers Wares Tour. Laphroaig was one of the first distilleries that truly got me in to drinking single malt whisky. So as I venture onto my final booked tour on Islay I’m very much excited to see … Continue reading Laphroaig Distillers Wares Tour

Laphroaig Distillers Wares

I signed up for the last available Distillers Wares tour first thing Sunday morning. However two days before that I found myself driving right past the visitor parking lot and parking right outside of the of the Mash House after the distillery had closed to the public for the day.  An acquaintance was able to get my wife and I a private tour of the … Continue reading Laphroaig Distillers Wares

Laphroaig / Bowmore Tasting – Event Recap

On April 18, we had a tasting event with Matt Jones (@whisky_chef on instagram/twitter), the Beam-Suntory brand ambassador for the company’s Scotch and worldwhisky portfolios. Matt brought us a number of expressions from both of these Islay distilleries and regaled us with tales from that beautiful island, and the people who live and work there. He also brought some great swag for everyone to take … Continue reading Laphroaig / Bowmore Tasting – Event Recap

Toronto Whisky Society’s Whiskies of the Year 2017

2017 was a great year for the Toronto Whisky Society (TWS), between hosting a number of wonderful tastings, visiting distilleries, reviewing whiskies, and of course all the great social events with members. It would be a waste to have all these great whisky lovers and not ask them for their whiskies of the year! Read below to see what whiskies were the highlights for a … Continue reading Toronto Whisky Society’s Whiskies of the Year 2017

Laphroaig Caideas – Madeira Cask

Laphroaig Caideas – Madeira Cask 2016, 51.6% ABV, $100 CAD Nose: Peat right up front but not as strong as the 10 or 1/4 Cask, damp wood, brine, dry strawberries, and apricot. Taste: Earthy and musty peat smoke, old oak, strawberries, tobacco, with a faint floral note. Finish: Medium/long, highlighted by strawberries, peat and wood. Thoughts: I love the fruity/strawberry element to this. I think … Continue reading Laphroaig Caideas – Madeira Cask

Group Review: Laphroaig Select

We’re back with another group review! The Laphroaig Select is a new entry level bottling from Laphroaig, and is a combination of malt aged in Oloroso sherry butts, virgin American white oak, PX seasoned hogsheads, Quarter Casks and first fill ex-bourbon casks. Laphroaig made 6 combinations and sent them to some Friends of Laphroaig, allowing them to choose the blend that would go into this new bottling. … Continue reading Group Review: Laphroaig Select

Islay comparison

Five of the big players from Islay. You will notice Bunnahabhain, Bruichladdich, and Kilchoman (among a few others) are absent from this lineup. I wanted to review the entry-level (age statement) offerings from the main distilleries to see how each compare. They are affordable, available, and most of all, these are the ones I currently have. Bowmore 12, 40% ABV, $60 CAD Nose: Very light … Continue reading Islay comparison

#FroaigFriday review: Laphroaig 25 Cask Strength 2011 edition

Earlier this month I posted a review of a 23yr Laphroaig from SMWS, which had been my 199th scotch review on Reddit. Today I’m posting the review I wrote for my 200th: Laphroaig 25 CS 2011, which clocks in at 48.6% ABV, finished in oloroso casks. I received this sample from Devoz. Laphroaig 25 Cask Strength 2011 – 48.6% ABV Appearance: same light uncoloured yellow. Don’t … Continue reading #FroaigFriday review: Laphroaig 25 Cask Strength 2011 edition