Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Laphroaig have revived the practise of using smaller casks, once used as they were easier to transport by mule or packhorse (and perhaps avoid the Exciseman). These cask sizes became uneconomic in the advent of rail and road transport so larger casks begain to be used.
With a smaller cask comes greater contact and interaction between spirit and wood, as the ratio is increased by up to 30% as compared to normal casks. In simple terms this means quicker maturation. Furthermore, thet finish the maturation of this whisky in the ancient No.1 Dunnage Warehouse right on the seashore.

Here’s what the distillers think about the end product:
“The result surprised and delighted us. The additional oak influence from the quarter casks had created a soft sweetness and velvety feel when first tasted, then the intense peatiness so unique to Laphroaig comes bursting through. The finish is very long and alternates between the wood sweetness and the classic phenolic “peat reek” like the waves on our shore.”

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Country: Islay