L is for smoky
Comments: 8
It was cold walking home tonight. The air had something of a bite to it so that you could almost pretend it was really winter. I was struck with a powerful hankering for whisky and stopped by my favourite liquor store to pick up a little something.
I bought a bottle of Laphroaig and, without turning this into an advertisement, it’s pretty damned good. It has a dark smoky flavour exactly like Lapsang Souchong tea, which I used to drink a lot until it became impossible to find for some strange reason.
Mmmm … [takes another sip]. The taste comes on big and full and you get a nice waft of smoke but the finish is a little thinner than it should be. It’s probably just me: they’ve been making this for 200 odd years and ought to have it where they want it by now.
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Posted to General Rants • 2004.02.10 (Tue) • 22:28
Comments
Posted by M Sinclair Stevens 2004.02.11, 07:20
I have an almost full box of Taylors of Harrogate Lapsang Souchong in my cupboard. Please stop by for a cuppa when you’re in Austin to receive you Bloggie at SXSW next month.
You are only the second person in the world I’ve met who liked it. As the box says, “A distinctive tea with a unique smoky taste.” Yeah.
Posted by andrew 2004.02.11, 08:57
Laphroaig is like no other whisky. My local liquor store has had customers return bottles believing that there’s something wrong with it. I think it’s marvellous. Drink it at night in a darkened room and it takes you to another place.
I bought a 3-pack of 333ml bottles duty free a while back: 1 normal, 1 older and 1 at distillery strength of 55% odd.
Posted by Kristen 2004.02.11, 09:14
Laphroaig is a favorite. Another is Knockandu, a mild Speyside that’s very drinkable.
Posted by Woody 2004.02.11, 09:34
Mmm, Lapsang Souchong, my favorite tea! I’m not much of a whiskey person, so maybe now is a good time to begin expanding my horizons.
Posted by oli 2004.02.11, 13:18
I recently came across the brilliantly named “Japansch Zaky”, a barley-based shouchu that reminds me a little of Laphroaig. I wonder if the name was the result of an incredibly clever marketing department, as it sounds just like what a drunk would say when asking for a generic sake ;-)
The Laphroaig tasting notes I have describe the finish as “prolonged resonance, mellow and utterly distinctive” (whatever that means ;-). I think I still prefer Glenmorangie slightly more, but Laphroaig is a very close second.
Sounds like you’re living well if you’re drinking this - Slainte mhath!
PS Lapsang Souchong is available via the FBC’s BritShop, but it’s not exactly cheap.
Posted by MJ 2004.02.11, 15:00
Lapsang Souchong is the only tea I can’t drink. It has a bacon flavour to it which I can’t stomach.
Posted by David 2004.02.11, 18:59
If you require some Lapsang Souchong I can send you a batch from England.
Posted by Jerry 2004.02.16, 05:21
Laphroaig and Lapsang Souchong are two of my favorite beverages, hands down. The Laphroaig 10 year is a nice sip, but if you can get the 15 year, it’s worth the extra price for a bottle. The cask-strength is a bit overpowering, but still a nice journey on the palette. One day, probably soon, I shall spoil myself with a nice bottle of even older Laphroaig. (I swear I’ve seen a bottle of 21 or 25 year Laphroaig…) Cheers… /.jp
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