Hello All,

The July meeting combined with the AGM for the Sept. was held at Tank Bar and Laneway dining (32 Turbot Street Brisbane) on the evening of Wednesday 29th July.  The formalities resulted in Peter McLaughlan being co-opted into the Chieftain’s role, Filip Piliouras again taking the role of Gauger and Gregory Hudson with the Exciser/Scribe role. A welcome was made to new member, Jeff Camp and welcome to three visitors, David, Doug and Philip.

Following formalities the meeting got down to the purpose of the club.  Filip produced a variety of Laphroaig whiskies and as you can see there is a reasonable selection.  Some bottles had been used previously in other meetings but there was ample available for the meeting  You will notice two Triple Woods, these had been opened at previous meetings and it was interesting to note the difference in their tasting   .

The order of the tasting was 10 y/o, 15 y/o, older Triple Wood, younger Triple Wood, Quarter Cask and the new Cairdeas (friendship). The 10 y/o had lost a bit of the traditional bite however the peat appeared in the mouth and it was a smooth drop to swallow.

The 15 y/o was very smooth with the absence of peat initially however it made a comeback as you imbibed.

The older Triple Wood showed sherry and oak on the nose and followed a sharp taste with the peat making a late entry.

The younger Triple Wood showed completely different characteristics with the more classic Laphroaig nose and more “in your face” alcohol.

The Quarter Cask started with alcohol to the fore but not overpowering.  I seemed a little light on peat (for Laphroaig) with a bit of rough young oak on the palate.

The Cairdeas, being a limited bottling for the distillers friendship.  It has a pleasant nose with odours that went unidentified for some time.  The alcohol, at 51.4%, was not outwardly noticeable on the nose or mouth but fired in the gullet. Flavours of nuts, marzipan and some “petrochemicals” like the kerosine from a good Riesling were present and  eventually cinnamon was identified whilst in the mouth, leading to the dry mouth feel when eating cinnamon.

On the evening the favourite was the Cairdeas winning over the 15 y/o.  There followed the older Triple Wood, younger Triple Wood, 10 y/o and the Quarter Cask bring up the list.  When viewed with the company that each bottle was tasted I believe this was a reasonable reflection of the evening’s tasting.  I believe all participants enjoyed the evening and left being sated in their desire for good whisky.

Slainte,
Gregory