Is it just me or...

[Alexppp]

...has Laphroaig 10 got sweeter over the years? I'm not as experienced as most of you guys here but Laphroaig was the first single malt I tried when my dad had a bottle in the 90s and I remember it being more intense and uncompromising than it is now. I recently tried it alongside a Lagavulin and was surprised at how much milder it seemed, despite the fact that they seemed more or less equal in terms of smokiness.

Has my taste changed or is Laphroaig a bit 'softer' now?

[Kenny M]

Maybe a bit of both.

Our sense of taste is certainly more sensitive when we are younger having said that no 2 batches of single malt are 100% identical but many drinkers would probably not be able to differentiate between 2 different batches from the same distillery. Also when you taste a whisky like Laphroaig for the first time its intense smoke will certain register in the memory and perhaps you have become acustomed to it so today it doesnt register as being as intense as when you first tried it.

[Tom W]

i'm not a massive Laphroaig 10 fan......I think it sometimes tastes like a nice fruity whisky that has been filtered through an ash tray!

[Bookie]

I cant say i think that the Laphroaig has changed since the 90s but it would certainly be interesting to compare a bottle from then with a bottle from now head to head.

[SkyeIslay]

I agree with Kenny, it's probably a bit of both. I would think you're now more used to the strong smoky flavours (especially since you've tried Lagavulin and - I'm guessing - other 'peat monsters') so Laphroaig would seem less intense.

However, it may be true that it's grown milder over the years. A review on another website describes Laphroaig 10 as "The biggest beast in the jungle, even if its roar has become more muted in recent years." I can't say whether that relates to sweetness in particular - Laphroaig has always been the sweetest of the three Islay heavyweights, and none the worse for it!

However, for a more uncompromising (as you put it) and hard-hitting Islay, you have to go to Lagavulin, Ardbeg, or Laphroaig Quarter Cask.

[Gregor]

I think the Laphroaig 10 has mellowed a little over the years, i would love if they removed the caramel colouring and let us taste the natural Laphroaig

[Samson]

No, it is not just you Alex i think it has gotten sweeter and more fruity over the years. I would say it was definitely less fruity and sweet 10 or so years ago. I do like todays style but Personally i preferred it less fruity and sweet but i would guess many will prefer it the way it is today.

[Alexppp]

Thanks for the replies guys, I'm glad it's not just me! I still like the Laphroaig and find it pretty potent if I drink it after, say, a Glenfiddich or a Cragganmore, but I think Lagavulin is my new favourite Islay. It's a pity because Laphroaig is far more affordable! Maybe I'll switch to the Quarter Cask from now on for my Lahproaig fix...

[awhiskeydrink]

too sweet and a good whiskey goes to a make do dessert
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