An Unexpected Pleasant Surpise

**McClef** · 16th December 11, 12:14 PM

I was shopping in one of our local large supermarkets yesterday and was looking for a nice bottle of brandy for part of my mother's Christmas Present,

I looked down a couple of shelves where the whiskies were and saw the usual 10 yo Laphroaig which was on offer,

Next door to it, however was some Quarter Cask Laphroaig which was also on offer and only a couple of pounds more!

This is the first time I had seen Quarter Cask south of the Border to begin with and to be able to buy it for less than what I paid in Edinburgh was an added bonus!

The last drops of my old bottle have now been consumed in readiness!

**biblemonkey** · 16th December 11, 12:17 PM

I love that dram! The first sip, even with water, made me gag but after becoming accoustomed to the harsh smokiness I now love it with no water at all save a drop for "opening" the nose a bit.

**McClef** · 16th December 11, 12:20 PM

I never gagged even the first time, my taste buds were taken to some kind of earthly paradise!

Bit "wi jist a wee drap or twa o' watter" and you truly have perfection IMHO.

**flyingshamrock** · 16th December 11, 01:18 PM

It truely is the water of life!

**KenB** · 16th December 11, 01:41 PM

It's a grand dram. Of all the whiskeys produced in Scotland, I really like those from Islay. The smokey, heady nose is really pronounced. Laphroaig is like heaven. I raise a glass to the Rabble with heartfelt best wishes for the Christmas season. Cheers!

**tulloch** · 16th December 11, 01:55 PM

That was a great find! Congratulations. Slainte!

**McClef** · 16th December 11, 04:55 PM

I just had my first dram from the bottle.

It tastes subtly different from the previous Quarter Cask bottle - there is more of a sherried sweetness somehow which is very pleasant just before the smokiness hits.

So perhaps it is possible that the smaller cask do allow room for more variation.

I shall make sure there is some left to toast my new kilt when it arrives!

**ccga3359** · 16th December 11, 05:04 PM

Do you mix it with Coke or Canada Dry Trefor?

**TexasPete** · 16th December 11, 06:03 PM

The quarter cask is wonderful. I was lucky enough to spot a bottle of it at the company Christmas party, hiding behind something unremarkable. Made for a nice surprise.