Whiskybase

Laphroaig Four Oak

Overall rating
79.55/100
votes
368
Whiskybase ID
WB92345
Category
Single Malt
Distillery
Bottler
Distillery Bottling
Bottled
2016
Casktype
Ex-Bourbon, QC, Virgin American, European Oak
Strength
40.0 % Vol.
Size
1000 ml
Bottle code
L6327VB1
Barcode
5010019638144
Bottled for
Travel Retail Exclusive
Added on
05 feb 2017 10:35 am by maltaholic
Laphroaig Four Oak
Photo by Nes
Laphroaig Four Oak
Photo by Nes
Laphroaig Four Oak
Photo by Barrels
Laphroaig Four Oak
Photo by whic

Average value

€ 57.36

Found 20 online shops. Lowest price:

€ 43.00
nl DrankDozijn.nl € 49.95
gb The Whisky Exchange £ 64.95
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Whisky Reviews for Laphroaig Four Oak

56 users have left a review for this whisky and scored it an average of 79.55 points

  1. Archer scored this whisky 76 points Connoisseur

    With that, Laphroaig has really done no favor. He is not under any cannon, but Laphroaig may expect much more. The nose is still quite interesting, but even on the tongue you can tell him an immature youth, which also shows in the very short and actually only smoky finish. Where now exactly the influence of the four different barrels shows - no idea. Too bad that something like that gets cut out.
    • Nose
      Phenolic smoke with lemon flavor. Some stuffy wood in the background. Seaweed. Light and airy for a Laphroaig, but not thin.
    • Taste
      Lemon smoke again, but in a more dilute form than in the nose. Slightly metallic, with the taste of pebbles. A little salt, a little licorice, a bit of honey. But much more will not come then.
    • Finish
      Short. Too short. He leaves after a short time only cold smoke and a metallic aftertaste.

  2. rottendon scored this whisky 72 points Connoisseur

    Boh, but Laphroaig has really embarrassed! The nose is not 100% my thing, but overall very complex, quite interesting and in my opinion not behave at all, but rather equipped with a certain plumpness. What happens in the mouth, however, is shameful. Admittedly, no metallic approaches, not in the slightest, but still that is an absolute pharynx cleaner. Since I have Laphis with over 60% on the shelf, which have much less sharpness. The departure then makes sure that you do not keep it in bad memory, if you remember it at all, because there is no reason for it. Pity!
    • Nose
      Boom, first a neat turn phenolic smoke with kernel soap underlaid. Luckily, after a few seconds, the curd soap is much less intense, with caramel and a few mineral notes. After a while, add smoked meat and some disinfectants to the bouquet. Overall, the whole thing looks pretty musty. Unfortunately, after a short period of smoky meat, garlic, peaty caramel and granite dust merging into a beguiling mix, it is increasingly flattening and the soap is back. Disinfectant and stone dust are heated quite intensively, some citrus scares now also from behind in the nose. Overall, now clearly too angry.
    • Taste
      If the nose was at least quite interesting, then there's an alcohol club in the mouth. Really? Only 40% ?? Man, must he be young! Interestingly, but no sheet metal. In order to be able to define anything more sweet and smoky, the mouth first has to get used to the alcohol, in other words become numb. Boy, the third swallow is actually too spritig and sharp. Nothing against strong alcohol, but he should somehow be involved. A slight alcohol note can now also make out. Otherwise, unfortunately, there really is not much, a little dark caramel, slightly sugary, strong acidity from behind and a slightly superficial bitterness, which is increasingly established as the main note. He is unfortunately of a rather watery consistency.
    • Finish
      The finish is expected to be relatively long, with dark, caramel sweetness and behind the palate adhering, slightly chemical acid slowly fade away, to completely leave the palate a somewhat soapy (but interestingly not unpleasant) ashiness.

  3. Marko_I did not rate this whisky Connoisseur

    Four Oak probably does not mean "4 great, selected Fassreifungen" but "everything on young xth-fill barrels zusammengekippt, what we could not otherwise use". For phenol and oil flap fans it might be something if it were not so thin, but for 55 € / liter is not enough.
    • Nose
      little sweetness (caramel), a lot of phenol, disinfectant, formaldehyde, used dilution, oily workshop cloths, at first a bit pungent (but this is limited), maybe a splash of lemon, a bit grassy, ​​looks rather chemical than "natural"
    • Taste
      again almost no sweetness except a little caramel, mouthfeel creamy with pepper, less phenolic / disinfectant, more ashen, bitter, it stays longer in the mouth -> more pepper, more bitter, again the oily swab
    • Finish
      medium long, pepper, ashes, bitter

  4. Whiskylifestyle scored this whisky 74 points Expert Senior

    Hmmm, this is rather dissapointing. It is far from special. The nose is ok, but the taste isn’t good, actually there is not much taste. This is definitely not the best Laphroaig out there.
    • Nose
      There is some peat here, and it’s briny too. A little bit of seaweed. Also some soft vanilla aromas. A hint of lemon sourness, followed by ash. It’s a little lighter than what I’m used to from Laphroaig.
    • Taste
      It’s starts rather smoky. A thin mouthfeel, but this gets a little bit better later on. A bit peppery. Some vanilla on the background, and a pinch of liquorice. But that was about it. It’s flat and a bit out of balance.
    • Finish
      The finish is quite short, and a bit spicy. This is followed by some metallic notes.

  5. Noface83 scored this whisky 72 points Specialist

    Nose: again a new NAS of Laphi - look - ah smokier than the Select, slightly medical and salty smoke, sour lemon, pleasantly sweet and slightly grassy, ​​the nose is simple and pleasing, which does not have to be bad.
    Taste: uih is thin, very smoky and peppery with a fresh and sour lemon note and nothing else. This sour note is even stronger in the finish, the smoke is milder and it adds a subtle oak bitterness.
    If the nose was still good in its simplicity, it completely falls apart in the mouth. The is now not a complete failure - he has no big Fehlnoten (if one of sour drops is ^ ^) and is very tasty but there is somehow missing in every nook and cranny. It's a pity what happened to Laphi. Apart from the 10cc CS, none of the bottles in the affordable segment are more convincing - let alone the whole NAS.
    • Nose
      80 80
    • Taste
      68 68
    • Finish
      72 72

  6. rottendon scored this whisky 72 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      82 82
    • Taste
      50 50
    • Finish
      85 85

  7. karloff scored this whisky 70 points Specialist

    Four Oak? Can anyone tell me what the point of it is? This does not look good on their CV. I was given this as a gift so can't complain too much. Would I spend my hard earned on it? Like shite I would.
    • Nose
      75 75
      Actually the nose isn't bad at all, quite mellow, gentle and dare I say soft.
      Slightly soiled straw bedding, light fruit notes and watered down disinfectant.
      Not a complex nose, in fact it is better off where it is and and how it stands, no better and no worse.
    • Taste
      70 70
      The first thing that hits home is how watery it tastes. If it never said 40% on the label I would have said it was less than that. This just knocks it all to hell and gives it a metallic taste. Coming in a poor second are the light fruit flavours with a pinch and I mean a pinch of white pepper.
      I mean this isn't unpleasant but for a Laphroaig you expect something more substantial and meaty.
    • Finish
      65 65
      The finish is short to medium and again there is that watery metallic taste. In fact it tastes like I'm sucking on an old brillo pad.

  8. coldsun scored this whisky 82 points Expert Senior

    This whisky is not like classic 10 years old or even Octave cask. The drink is very pleasant and smooth, tasty and balanced. Great skill of master of distillery to mix four casks!
    If Your expectation is strong peat character it is not the one. It might be great for introduction with Laphroaig but overpriced in this case.

    P.S. Empty dram keeps pleasant and strong wood notes.
    • Nose
      83 83
      Iodine and salty with notes of prunes, dried fruits and light sherry and peated smoke with malt at the end. Needs some time to be opened. Flavor is delicate but not so strong and complex as it could be.
    • Taste
      88 88
      Pleasant peat. Strong notes of oak, sandalwood and fruit tree wood, vanilla, cooked and dried apples, apricots, pears. Little bit spicy.
      IMHO taste is the best part of the drink.
    • Finish
      74 74
      Warming, stable but short. Sweet, vanilla, a loot of wood elements and very pleasant peat. Also returns notes of sherry. In a several minutes brings notes of cheese.

  9. Mannix65 scored this whisky 76 points Connoisseur

    young, thin, one-dimensional - disappointing
    • Nose
      Fermented grass, sillage, phenolic smoke, soapsuds, green rhubarb - thin
    • Taste
      Iodine and smoke, brackish water - very watery, almost a whisky spritzer
    • Finish
      medically, but short

  10. Mannix65 scored this whisky 76 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      78 78
    • Taste
      76 76
    • Finish
      73 73

  11. EnjoyLife89 scored this whisky 78 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      Smoke, light vanilla and some seaweed. Rather unspectacular
    • Taste
      Sweet, iodine, a little smoke and maritime.
    • Finish
      Short. Smoke, a little spice and then gone.

  12. Макс scored this whisky 76 points Connoisseur

  13. Solthor scored this whisky 69 points Member Senior

    for nose, palate and finish please consider the other reviews. I am just commenting on the strength (abv.) To me it has such a watery taste that I really couldn't enjoy it. at all. really.

  14. MarcinCh scored this whisky 79 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      82 82
      Peat in a medical variety. Iodine. Sea breeze. Herbalism. Later there is a slight sweetness, rather caramel. Some salt. Salty caramel. Campfire smoke or light smoking. Then a little seasoning and pepper. On the other nose, Medication seems pretty muffled for a Laphroaig, and relatively not that great.
    • Taste
      79 79
      Medical peat. Light sweetness. Caramel. Then a lot of sea salt. Spices, mainly pepper. A bit of oak bitterness.
    • Finish
      77 77
      Peat, Medicine. Light herbalism. A lot of spices, black pepper, maybe even hot pepper, warming up, even a little burning. Oak bitterness. The average length.

  15. g2ther scored this whisky 81 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      82 82
    • Taste
      81 81
    • Finish
      80 80

  16. The_Osprey scored this whisky 81 points Expert Senior

    Laphroaig Four Oak 40%. Dark golden yellow. Aroma of oak, oily resin and smoke, light medicinal and clove notes. Some mousy oak starts to become the focal point. Taste is soft and light, minimal smoke, some coffee grounds come through, touch of gritty ash. Ashy rather than smoky. Decent but wishy washy for a Laphroaig 3.4/81

  17. MLE scored this whisky 80 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      81 81
    • Taste
      79 79
    • Finish
      79 79

  18. Whisky Hamster scored this whisky 79 points Expert Senior

    Many oaks don't translate to many times the flavor, unfortunately. Utterly pointless product für travel retail. Not worth your while or money, folks, stick with the normal 10 or QC

  19. Stefan_Hartl scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    02/17/2019

    Not so smoky for a Laphroaig, but strong phenolic notes and more fruity and spicy than the 10er.
    • Nose
      Phenolic smoke with iodine and a trace of ashtray. With fresh citrus fruits and some apple. in the background wet wood, seaweed and salty.
    • Taste
      At first mild, fruity and fresh. Then significantly more seasoning with tree resin and herbs. Some chocolate, malt sugar and again the apple behind the smoke.
    • Finish
      Here strong smokiness and ash, but also fruits and herbs, very sweet and a lasting oak flavor.

  20. Vagmanou scored this whisky 76 points Member Senior

    The name "Four Oak" suits perfect for this one. You can taste primerily wood, but there are some surprises waiting there. Chalenging and rough whisky.
    • Nose
      78 78
      Nutty, iodine, smokey, fresh wood and somewhere there hiden vanilla cream
    • Taste
      75 75
      Again fresh wood, coal, medicinal, dried nuts and solvent
    • Finish
      75 75
      Medium finish, oily, medicinal, wood polish, malt and again fresh wood.

  21. majoma1960 scored this whisky 67 points Expert Senior

    Not sure what Laphroaig were trying to achieve. This expression tries to be too many things for too many people - mainly for those who do not like the other expressions. Too bland and hesitant, no identity.
    • Nose
      69 69
    • Taste
      66 66
    • Finish
      65 65

  22. 33rdCASK scored this whisky 81 points Expert Senior

  23. WhiskyBjorn83 scored this whisky 74 points Expert Senior

    28-09-2019
    • Nose
      73 73
      smoke, peat, oak
    • Taste
      75 75
      smoke, peat, tobacco, oak
    • Finish
      75 75
      smoke, peat, tobacco, oak

  24. peat_smoker scored this whisky 82 points Newbie

    It tastes like a very basic and young Islay whisky such as McClelland's Islay but with its specific Laphroaig features comprising of, for example, medicine .

  25. schengel10 scored this whisky 74 points Connoisseur

    The cheap from the travel retail - NAS; Rather suitable for effect drinking than for enjoyment!
    • Nose
      sweet, fruity, woody, clear smoke (phenol), light;
    • Taste
      soft, salty onset, slightly swelling, some smoke, cold ashes, sweet, oak; oily, young, one-dimensional;
    • Finish
      short, smoky finish; ashen finish;

  26. agejellema@gmail.com scored this whisky 67 points Member Senior

    Come on Laphroaig what is this?! Thin, watery bleeh.

  27. agejellema@gmail.com scored this whisky 67 points Member Senior

    Very moderate Laphroaig. Thin and watery. Come on what is this!

  28. thijs100 scored this whisky 70 points Connoisseur

    From the distillery that bring us great annual cask strength releases, this is a very disappointing release. What's up with this?
    • Nose
      Not unlike what I imagine peated porridge would smell like. Slightly briny too, and lots of coconut, with a touch of barbecue smoke and citrus. A tad shy.
    • Taste
      Weak, ashy, pinch of pepper some medicinal peat, dry. I don't know, anything else? Not really.
    • Finish
      Cigarette ash. Probably one of the shortest I've ever tasted for a heavily peated whisky.

  29. Pardes scored this whisky 80 points Member Senior

    • Nose
      79 79
    • Taste
      80 80
    • Finish
      81 81

  30. JNuyts scored this whisky 78 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      80 80
      On the nose it is in the beginning a faint decoction of a "real" Laphroaig, fairly young whisky, but it can please me a little.
      Medicinal, peaty, smoky, light touch of vanilla, very softly some other sweet touches. These sweet keys are only expressed after a while. In itself no mysterious whisky in terms of nose
    • Taste
      77 77
      first taste is really very very bland with little body. After you have let it go around in the mouth, more ashes and medicinal peat + some pepper. I also notice light vanilla
    • Finish
      76 76
      Reasonably short finish that does not last long. The axles is something you can still eat, but dies pretty quickly

  31. HW74 scored this whisky 74 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      76 76
    • Taste
      73 73
    • Finish
      70 70

  32. HW74 scored this whisky 74 points Expert Senior

    A unfortunately typical Laphroaig! They do not get better, they get worse. A very very young, thin whisky that can barely be more than three years old. Poor whisky, which in the short time has to call four different barrels at home. I hope again for the 10CS 2018, which seems to have a lot less vol.% This year ..... let's see.
    • Nose
      First, light citrus fruits, then alcohol with smoke. Over time, it is slightly creamy, very little vanilla. I think I can see the ex-bourbon barrel, then comes oak ....
    • Taste
      Immediately alcoholic sharpness, then some fruitiness, quickly becomes very dry. There remains a bitter taste in the mouth.
    • Finish
      Dry, bitter, and smoky. Long-lasting (in this case "unfortunately").

  33. Achany scored this whisky 82 points Connoisseur

    Jep, the name is right, there is a lot of oak. But all right, a little bitter but not too much, a lot of spices, a bit peppery. After that hints of the typical iodine, salty seaweed peatiness. Easy to drink, entry level laphroaig
    • Nose
      81 81
    • Taste
      83 83
    • Finish
      81 81

  34. mr.p9 scored this whisky 81 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      82 82
    • Taste
      79 79
    • Finish
      80 80

  35. mer1973 scored this whisky 79 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      78 78
    • Taste
      80 80
    • Finish
      80 80

  36. valery77 scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      87 87

  37. Eilean a' Cheo scored this whisky 84 points Expert Senior

    Tasted blind

    N: sea air, fishing nets, peat smoke, youngish sweet notes, linseed oil

    M: a bit watered down with some sweetness, banana flambé infused with peat and served in a bowl of sea water

    F: moderate

    84

  38. GLEN MAUR scored this whisky 81 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      80 80
    • Taste
      79 79
    • Finish
      80 80

  39. baldandbeardy scored this whisky 79 points Expert Junior

    • Nose
      80 80
    • Taste
      80 80
    • Finish
      75 75

  40. Monte Gehro scored this whisky 75 points Expert Senior

    Abundantly thin and one-dimensional for a Laphroaig.
    • Nose
      Phenolic smoke, but less than I know from the 10s standard and QC. Slight hints of cough drops, citrus notes in the background.
    • Taste
      Thin, almost watery, nevertheless an alcoholic sharpness. Smoke, citrus notes.
    • Finish
      In short, a little dry smoke, bitter

  41. Pilatus did not rate this whisky Expert Senior

    • Nose
      75 75
    • Taste
      75 75
    • Finish
      73 73

  42. MadScientist scored this whisky 82 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      85 85
    • Taste
      81 81
    • Finish
      84 84

  43. peatbogger scored this whisky 81 points Specialist

    A good whisky, but a poor Laphroaig.
    • Nose
      84 84
    • Taste
      80 80
    • Finish
      80 80

  44. peatbogger scored this whisky 81 points Specialist

    Not bad at all, what's there is good, but it's rather one dimentional with little to no development.

    One should expect so much more.
    • Nose
      Definitely Islay, quite "Laphraigy"

      Seaweed, iodine, wet wood, tar, rubber.

      Combined it is nice, blending together well, but it's all too weak and subtle, really have to dig the nose into the glass to capture it.
    • Taste
      Quite some agressive alcohol arrival that really can't be called spice. Even so it's a bit thin and feel watery.

      Dry ash, a little peat. Too much oaky wood, some proper pepper showing up midway.
    • Finish
      A little more than short with wood, wood and wood, a little salt and a little sweet.

  45. Oldpultnie scored this whisky 80 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      81 81
    • Taste
      80 80
    • Finish
      79 79

  46. Oldpultnie scored this whisky 80 points Connoisseur

    Don't add water, it takes most of the taste away (40%).

    Not persuading Laphroaig.
    • Nose
      Smoke, medium peat, light and a bit sour. More in the background seaweed and iodine.
    • Taste
      Intense smoke and pepper. A lot of wood. Fresh and light altough there's a light buttery cream taste staying behind at the end. Quite balanced and refreshing.
    • Finish
      Half long and spicy. Sea salt.

  47. WhiskyNotes scored this whisky 72 points Expert Senior

    https://www.whiskynotes.be/2017/laphroaig/laphroaig-four-oak/Nose: medium peat, some wet gravel, a little green tea, hints of musty, spicy oak in the background. On top of this there is a citrusy side that’s half medicinal, half soapy. Youngish, light and a little disconnected, but not too bad so far. Mouth: downright weak now, although it picks up strength in the middle. Some metallic notes, then medicinal peat, and somehow you feel the alcohol more than the actual flavours. Pepper. Ashes. Finish: short, on sour oak juice and spices.

    While the nose was rather okay, on the palate it becomes too much of a diluted oak juice / peppered vodka type of dram. Totally forgettable, so I suggest you spend a bit more and get a proper Laphroaig. 

  48. Archer scored this whisky 76 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      78 78
    • Taste
      76 76
    • Finish
      75 75

  49. Goethe scored this whisky 77 points Connoisseur

    Ok. It is Laphroaig. A very faded version of some Laphroaig mixture of casks like "hey, these are not to much into the TCP kick character Laphroaig I want to lick a peat block ones", this is more like "hey, when I am ready for beeing a big Laphroaig whisky, I will let you know but for now I will go out for some tea with my ladies." Don't know what gap in the market this one should close but you are on the way to lead whisky starters to other distilleries. Even the Select has been better for Laphroaig starters.

    Concerning price/performance ratio: 6/10
    • Nose
      Smoke, some machine oil, light TCP, vanilla, green banana, soapy, some citrus notes.
    • Taste
      Some ashes, some salt, light smoke, sweet minerals.
    • Finish
      Medium. Some sweet smoke ashes. Some sour oak.

  50. Daan Tje scored this whisky 85 points Connoisseur

    • Nose
      83 83
    • Taste
      86 86
    • Finish
      85 85

  51. Allandale scored this whisky 78 points Connoisseur

    Little bit disappointed. Marketing blurb again.
    • Nose
      Light.There is a sweet seaweed samphire going on,rather  than iodine there is some neoprene,then light green tea and freshly  sawn wood. Some  smoke, cereal crunches.The phenolic elements are present but lightly; savlon  ointment, camphor, benzoin and olbas oil.
    • Taste
      Light thin and delicate. Some smoke and nuttiness? Burning sticks and pepper in the end.
    • Finish
      Light again. Not long Where is Laphroaig.

  52. DoctorK scored this whisky 76 points Expert Junior

    A new Laphroaig, exciting. Bought a 1 Liter for 45€, therefore no
    complaints regarding the price. NAS of course - hard to come by anything
    different these days. The nose is intriguing, smells like a Laphroaig
    maybe a bit more shy than the 10 YO or even the QA.  The taste is spicy,
    hot must be the young spirit in there, a bit prickly on the tongue but
    not much else going on there. The finish is not very long and the
    classic Laphroaig feeling is missing, no explosion down in the belly. I
    had hoped for more. Invest twice as much and get the 18 YO.
    • Nose
      82 82
    • Taste
      78 78
    • Finish
      76 76

  53. Dionysus scored this whisky 74 points Expert Senior

    As a very big Laphroiag fan, which i normaly give very high scores, i must say this is a disapointment.

    All these 1liter bottles, travel retail exclusive....... PX cask was pretty good, QA cask not that good and now i wander why i spend 50 euro thinking Laphroaig will never disapoint me.....

    Stop giving us all this marketing blurb, AGE DOES MATTER......
    • Nose
      78 78
    • Taste
      69 69
    • Finish
      73 73

  54. Srontgorrth scored this whisky 70 points Expert Senior

    I 100% concur with the review from chrizthewiz. what a disappointment!

  55. chrizthewiz scored this whisky 79 points Expert Junior

    The nose is really shy and closed. A little peat mixed with damp wool, charred wood and vanilla. Onedimensional. Taste is watery, thin and sweet with sour woodsap and smoke around the edges. This is no "bad" Whisky (of course the new make is still good). It doesnt taste overtly young or newmakey. I could see myself having this with a pint in a bar when no other peater is available. But maybe I wouldnt recognize it as a Laphi. It just doesnt fit Laphroaigs reputation. Its bland and boring and utterly forgettable. Lightly peated sugar water?! I think its a damn shame that Beam-Suntory steers Laphroaig in this direction. All this cask fiddling.. All this marketing blurb and no substance of character. Whats the next story? Quadruple Cask sprinkled with islay mermaid poop? Stay clear and buy a 10yo Cask Strength instead. Thats where they still deliver.

  56. mds51 did not rate this whisky Connoisseur

    Ex-Bourbon Barrels, Quarter Casks, Virgin American Oak Barrels & European Oak Hogsheads

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