Laphroaig 10: The Marmite of Whisky, and We Love It
You either love it or you hate it—and both responses are equally valid. Laphroaig 10 is the most polarizing whisky in the world, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Laphroaig 10 is the whisky equivalent of a strong opinion loudly expressed. It does not care whether you like it. It does not seek your approval. It simply arrives, fills the room with the aroma of burning hospital bandages and sea spray, and dares you to take a sip. Those who do discover either the most revolting or the most fascinating dram they've ever encountered. There is no middle ground.
The nose is immediately, almost aggressively medicinal: iodine, seaweed, burning peat, and a distinctive TCP antiseptic note that has been dividing opinions since 1815. But spend time with it and you'll find sweet vanilla, coconut, dried banana, and a sea salt character that adds surprising depth to the medicinal onslaught.
On the palate, Laphroaig 10 is smoky, briny, and intensely maritime. Peat smoke and iodine dominate, but there's a sweetness—almost caramelized—that provides crucial balance. Seaweed, brine, pepper, and a medicinal intensity create a flavor profile so distinctive that blind-tasting Laphroaig is one of whisky's easiest exercises. At 43% ABV, some purists wish for higher proof, and the Cask Strength variant (48%) addresses this beautifully.
The finish is long and smoky with lingering maritime character, pepper, and that signature medicinal quality slowly transitioning to malt sweetness. It's oddly addictive—the kind of finish that makes you immediately want another sip.
At approximately $45, Laphroaig 10 represents extraordinary value for a whisky this distinctive and age-stated. It's been granted a Royal Warrant by Prince Charles (now King Charles III), who famously declared it his favorite Scotch. If it's good enough for the King of England, it's worth the experiment. Just be prepared: neutrality is not an option.
