Laphroaig Unveils Elements Series, Offering a New Perspective on Islay Whisky

Islay distillery Laphroaig has introduced the Elements series, offering enthusiasts a unique insight into the craftsmanship behind their iconic whisky. The debut expression, Elements 1.0, explores the traditional Laphroaig character while introducing novel flavor dimensions.

To craft Elements 1.0, the Laphroaig distillery team blended three distinct experiments. Firstly, they combined cloudy and semi-cloudy wort to enhance tropical fruit notes while preserving Laphroaig’s signature peatiness. Secondly, they employed both an 8.5-tonne and an 11-tonne mash, bridging the past and present of distillery production. Lastly, the whisky features 100% Islay malt, capturing the essence of the distillery’s homeland in a unique Laphroaig spirit.

This combination results in a distinctly Laphroaig whisky with a twist. On the nose, it offers fresh sea salt, smoky bacon, and charred pineapple notes, leading to a palate of peppery spice, tropical fruits, and liquorice. The finish showcases Laphroaig’s renowned peatiness with a lingering sweetness.

Barry MacAffer, distillery manager for Laphroaig, remarked, “Elements is a series that we hope will give our Friends a peek into the art and science of making Laphroaig.” He added that this first release spotlights the raw materials used in their whisky, especially the 100% Islay malt.

As the series evolves, each expression will feature a series of easter eggs on the packaging, cataloging the experiments and individuals behind each bottle, offering a deeper understanding of the whisky-making process.

Elements 1.0 is bottled at 58.6% ABV and is available from select specialist retailers. More expressions in the series are expected in 2024.