This Laphroaig is called ‘The Sweet One’, but don’t be fooled (Review)

Islay is famed for whiskies that are bold and smoky. Laphroaig sits proudly at the top of that list, with an iconic profile of peat smoke, sea spray, and that distinctive bandage-and-iodine note. So what happens when you add a touch of sherry to the mix? Meet the Laphroaig 10 Year Old Sherry Oak Finish.

Laphroaig Distillery releases a range of whiskies, each with its own pet name on the bottle. The Quarter Cask edition, for example, is dubbed “the lively one” for its spirited character.

The 10-year-old Laphroaig Sherry Oak Finish carries a very different nickname: “The Sweet One.” It earns that title from the richer sweetness imparted by its finishing period in Spanish sherry casks.

The European oak sherry casks were carefully chosen for character and flavor, giving the Laphroaig 10 Year Old a deeper dimension without losing its unmistakable Islay identity.

Laphroaig wouldn’t be Laphroaig without its iconic green bottle. Naturally, the 10 Year Old Laphroaig comes in colored glass—and for good reason. The tint helps protect the whisky’s smoky character when it catches a bit of sunlight.

Set against the green glass is Laphroaig’s green label, which pops nicely and stands out on the shelf. It’s a classic label too—clean, unfussy, and focused on the essentials about the distillery and the bottle.

One of the first things you’ll notice is how the Laphroaig 10 Year Old clings to the glass. The legs are thick, pointing to high viscosity—a creamy-textured dram.

Before we dive in, take a sniff. The unmistakable Laphroaig character hasn’t been lost to the Spanish influence. It opens with clear medicinal tones of iodine and bandages, followed by warm honey, overripe raspberries, and roasted meat.

On the palate, this Laphroaig is surprisingly indulgent. It starts with such a rich, creamy weight that, for a moment, it feels almost like warm candle wax coating the mouth.

Flavor-wise, it opens with powerful notes of seaweed and that signature Laphroaig smokiness. First up is a taste reminiscent of a grill that hasn’t been cleaned and has been left running too long the kind with the fat dripping onto the coals.

After that intensity come hints of barbecued sausages, roasted pineapple, and resinous notes. Toward the finish there’s a fleeting touch of perfume before the smoke takes charge again for a warming farewell.

While this whisky does lean a touch sweeter, it’s not about to tame its Islay spirit. The smoke still leads the way, with the sweetness layered behind it. It remains a dram for those who love a big, smoky Islay and aren’t shy about peat.

Finished in sherry casks, this Laphroaig lays claim to the nickname “The Sweet One.” Whether it earns that title depends on how you approach the whisky.

This is still a smoky dram with that quintessential Laphroaig DNA. If peat isn’t your thing, this won’t win you over. But if you’re already a fan of Laphroaig and want something with a twist, it’s a triumph.

+ Laphroaig through and through

+ Sherry twist adds an intriguing layer

- You do need to enjoy smoke