The 15 is outstanding and I just opened the 16 tonight. So far the 16 is an Oak bomb (not a bad thing) and I’ll give it a few more weeks before passing judgement, but a laphroaig CS CAN’T BE BAD!
Hi Shane, I really must compliment you on the quality of your reviews. Based on this one, and in spite of your own preference, I concluded that I will probably prefer batch #16. Just on your flavour/sensation description. Which means that apparently you have a very objective way of describing the whisky and that is not easy. Kudos! Now I just have go go and buy both and compare them, just to see if my conclusion is right ;-) The things we do for science!
Another richly detailed review, Shane! I keep a rather robust log of my responses to bottles--newly opened, halfway through, noting detectable changes over the lifespan of a bottle or comparisons between two different bottles, and so forth. But I've never used "forthcoming" as a descriptor, and now I'm tempted to steal that one from you. Quite apt, indeed! A couple months back you convinced me to pull the trigger on Batch 15 and I couldn't be happier. Many thanks. Good to know I can pick up Batch 16 without being greeted by any noteworthy disappointment. As regards the color, I wonder if 16 looks even a little more...coppery than 15?
Thanks Andy! Tasting notes are meant to be borrowed! Absolutely no problem there 🙂 In fact I think that's one of the best parts of watching other people's reviews. Glad you're enjoying batch 15 too. And yes, batch 16 does look a little more coppery 🤦♂️ My guess would be the casks are a little more active giving the spirit a bit more colour and Laphroaig have dumped their usual barrel load of e150 into it, not adjusting for the difference. Absolute mad lads... Cheers 🥃
It was a good opportunity and I'm glad you've done it. It's so nice to come to conclusion where batch variations are actually quite different whilst both being really good! I've not had the 16 but I did enjoy the 15 maybe not as much as you so I will give the 16 a try now :)
Batch variation is a wonderful thing that allows the hardcore malt enthusiasts like us to stay interested. Consistency is fine for those drinking Fiddich 12 on the rocks in a bar but there comes a point where you want to be surprised by something different 👍
Great review ....thanks, luckily batch 15 turned up at a super cheap NZ$125 a few months ago ...I bought 7 so should last a few years. Historically we couldn't get these, had to order from Laphroaig with ruinous postage and tax...
I love batch 15, but I do really like a more salty Laphroaig. I’m going to have to get my hands on a bottle or two of batch 16. Thanks for the review and comparison!
Great comparison as I have not had the Batch 16 yet and have been thinking about getting a bottle. Loved Batch 12 and 14 and I do like batch 15 of which I have a bottle open now. Thanks much for another great review
Really enjoyed this through comparison. My favorite batches are 9 and 10. 10 being the most consistently great, but 9 having higher highs. I have 15 (haven't opened yet, still working on a 13), but it sounds like i would prefer 16 (if it's like 9 and 10). Cheers!
Really good question. Whenever someone talks about smokiness in Scotch it's almost always from peat having been used to flavour the malt. Initially this was done as a necessity to dry the malted barley and stop the germination process. These days it's done purely for flavour. There are lots of different types of peat which all give different flavours though and how you use the peat and how much peat and for how long also has an effect. Sometimes you can end up with a whisky that has wood smoke, exhaust fume, barbecue smoke or coal fire notes but it's still coming from the peat most of the time. When people use peat as a tasting note though they're often referring to smelling and tasting like smoke from a peat fire. Or perhaps the medicinal and disinfectant notes that a lot of Islay whisky has. In short, smokiness is almost always from the peat. But peat can produce many other flavours too.
@@WhiskyLock Please accept my thanks for your time and knowledge in making this very helpful explanation about peat and smokiness. By fortunate coincidence we had a "lively" debate last night on the differences of the qualities of the smokiness and peat between Oaxacan "Madre Mezcal Artisanal" (200 ml bottle) and Laphroaig. Your video was perfectly timed to help with the "discussion". It was also interesting to listen to your tasting notes including about the Laphroaig 15 batch being like sweet caramel Oak, sweet barbeque sauce and ashy wood smoke. Plus your detailed explanation including that there is smokiness like the smoke from a peat fire and also the different types of smokiness from different peats. Once again thanks.
Thank you for your comparison: I myself prefer Batch 16 because of the sweetness, the BBQ moments and its raw power! Batch 15 lacks "mids" in my opinion, and I love the woodruff I get with Batch 16 that comes with a price admittedly: My taste-buds are going slightly numb. ;o)
Thank you for yet another great review. For now I have only tried Laphroaig Quarter Cask, at an early stage in my journey. (Theres been so many other interesting bottles a long the way) But I'll certainly keep an eye out for Laphroaig CS. Could you perhaps recommend an online dealer, that ships inside EU? And btw, where did you find the nice lids for the glencairns? All the best for the weekend, Martin
Thanks Martin. Quarter Cask is a great value for money Laphroaig. Probably the best bang for your buck from that distillery. 10CS is a clear step up though and I think you will really enjoy it. I'm not the best person to ask for retailers for the EU. Since Brexit all the companies I used to use that were based in Europe have become too expensive for me to use sadly. The lids I bought from Whisky Exchange and 'Urban Bar' on Amazon. They're often called whisky watch glasses. Cheers 🥃
Damnit! Just one day later and letting my dram sit out for an hour, batch 16 is growing on me big time. I can’t say batch 15 is better because they’re both so different, both excellent.
Thanks for the comparison, it does not make the list of my next purchases any easier. Been looking for suitable glass toppers a while now, could you please share what you are using? Greetings from Germany Frank
Hi Frank. Good glass toppers aren't easy to find. I bought some of mine from Whisky Exchange and some from Urban Bar on Amazon. I believe the ones I got from Amazon were better finished with less sharp edges. They're often sold as 'Whisky Watch Glasses'.
Both very good batches indeed! I didn't have a full bottle of batch 11 sadly but I think the level of quality between the three is pretty much on par 👍
Little kid in a sweet shop springs to mind Shane ;-) think you enjoyed doing this, sitting on fences and splinters not a good Idea ( get the tweezers out Lock lad )
I got a question I'd like to ask. How does the batch 15 version stack up to natch 12? I recently got a bottle of the barch twelve, love it, but I just saw a bottle of batch 15 available at a store near me. Is it as intense and close to batch 12 in terms of its flavors? If not, I'd prefer to spend that money on something else. I'm posting this before I watch the video, so my apologies if I get the answer I'm looking for by simply watching the video. Edit: seems like 15 is not what im looking for from the Laphroaig cask strength batches, seems like 16 might be though.
I think batch 15 is a fair match for batch 12. They're both some of the better batches IMHO. If you want a really aggressive and salty Laphroaig you will appreciate batch 16 though.
I wanted to get your thoughts on speyburn 10 and black bottle 10 year old blended scotch. I was looking at these budget pours and wondered what you would buy thanks Andrew
Hi! Honestly I can't help you much with those. I haven't had Speyburn 10 in many years but I did REALLY like Speyburn 15 when I had it recently and intend to buy a bottle once I've cleared my shelves a little. I haven't had Black Bottle 10 either as the low ABV puts me off. If you want a Black Bottle I would recommend Black Bottle Andean Oak. It is quite woody but works very well and comes in at a proper 46.3% to give better body and flavour. I really like it and it's below £22 on Master of Malt and Amazon right now.
So…any thoughts on batch 15 ? 😂 Whenever I see you review a scotch, I stop in my tracks and push play. Great comparison and analysis…. I haven’t cracked my b15 yet… but I really enjoyed b13…. Skipped b14 mostly from your take and couple others…. But as you say there really aren’t any stinkers in their cask strength 10 series…fairly priced and consistent with their packaging and lack of bling/flannel. They pretty much sell themselves because it’s good value for money especially in current marketing/pricing climate. Cheers 🥃
Nah... pretty indifferent actually 😂 Thank you for the extremely kind words! Agreed that these bottles sell themselves. You feel like you're getting something special without getting ripped off... which isn't as common as it used to be... Cheers John 🥃
The 15 is outstanding and I just opened the 16 tonight. So far the 16 is an Oak bomb (not a bad thing) and I’ll give it a few more weeks before passing judgement, but a laphroaig CS CAN’T BE BAD!
Agreed! #nobadbatch
I love your reviews, especially because I share your love/hate/love relationship with Laphroaig. Thanks!
Laphroaig it seems are the lovable rogues of the whisky world 🤔
Cheers! 🥃
Hi Shane, I really must compliment you on the quality of your reviews. Based on this one, and in spite of your own preference, I concluded that I will probably prefer batch #16. Just on your flavour/sensation description. Which means that apparently you have a very objective way of describing the whisky and that is not easy. Kudos! Now I just have go go and buy both and compare them, just to see if my conclusion is right ;-) The things we do for science!
That's great Wouter. Thank you very much and I hope my review serves you well. The things we do for science indeed 😂 👨🔬
Another richly detailed review, Shane!
I keep a rather robust log of my responses to bottles--newly opened, halfway through, noting detectable changes over the lifespan of a bottle or comparisons between two different bottles, and so forth. But I've never used "forthcoming" as a descriptor, and now I'm tempted to steal that one from you. Quite apt, indeed!
A couple months back you convinced me to pull the trigger on Batch 15 and I couldn't be happier. Many thanks. Good to know I can pick up Batch 16 without being greeted by any noteworthy disappointment.
As regards the color, I wonder if 16 looks even a little more...coppery than 15?
Thanks Andy! Tasting notes are meant to be borrowed! Absolutely no problem there 🙂 In fact I think that's one of the best parts of watching other people's reviews.
Glad you're enjoying batch 15 too. And yes, batch 16 does look a little more coppery 🤦♂️ My guess would be the casks are a little more active giving the spirit a bit more colour and Laphroaig have dumped their usual barrel load of e150 into it, not adjusting for the difference. Absolute mad lads...
Cheers 🥃
Batch 15 is so good. It's going to be a tough one for them to top.
I agree. 16 is very good too but for me 15 is spectacular and hard to follow 👍
OK. Really cool to hear the difference, but .. I think I would love either! Thanks.
It's always a win win situation when you're comparing Laphroaig 10CS batches 👍
It was a good opportunity and I'm glad you've done it. It's so nice to come to conclusion where batch variations are actually quite different whilst both being really good! I've not had the 16 but I did enjoy the 15 maybe not as much as you so I will give the 16 a try now :)
Batch variation is a wonderful thing that allows the hardcore malt enthusiasts like us to stay interested. Consistency is fine for those drinking Fiddich 12 on the rocks in a bar but there comes a point where you want to be surprised by something different 👍
Great review ....thanks, luckily batch 15 turned up at a super cheap NZ$125 a few months ago ...I bought 7 so should last a few years. Historically we couldn't get these, had to order from Laphroaig with ruinous postage and tax...
That's a really good price. Doesn't get cheaper than that even in the UK 👍 WIise move!
How much tax do we have to pay in NZ?
I grabbed a bottle at that price too, seemed a no-brainer, haven't cracked it yet...
What does NZ stand for? I got batch 16 last week for $75 (tax included) here in MA.
@@lynzhu6934 New Zealand
Thank you for this review. It was very useful. You have sold me. I'll search out the Batch 015.
I've just checked on TWE and it's on £7 discount. 😁
Any discount at all on this wonderful stuff is very tempting 😉
Thanks for the comparison, Shane.
Hope to pick up batch 16 next time I'm on Islay.
Slàinte mhath
It would be a crime to come back empty handed 😉 Cheers 🥃
great review again and an interesting comparison many thanks Shane. 👍👍
Cheers Andy 🥃
Laphroaig my onest favorite whisky ) two weeks ago i buy batch 15 in germany online alko market. Good job, like. Cheers !
Batch 15 is a beauty! Cheers 🥃
@@WhiskyLock )))
I just purchased batch 15 here in Virginia - thanks for the video looking forward to my first sip
Enjoy! It's one of my favourite batches 🥃
I love batch 15, but I do really like a more salty Laphroaig. I’m going to have to get my hands on a bottle or two of batch 16. Thanks for the review and comparison!
You're most welcome! Hope you enjoy it 🥃
Still on No.13 luckily
Excellent review. You are just completely down to earth.
Cheers Steve 👍
Great comparison as I have not had the Batch 16 yet and have been thinking about getting a bottle. Loved Batch 12 and 14 and I do like batch 15 of which I have a bottle open now. Thanks much for another great review
Thanks for watching! 🥃
Really enjoyed this through comparison. My favorite batches are 9 and 10. 10 being the most consistently great, but 9 having higher highs.
I have 15 (haven't opened yet, still working on a 13), but it sounds like i would prefer 16 (if it's like 9 and 10). Cheers!
I think you will like batch 16 if you're a fan of batch 10. I think they have a similar these. Cheers 🥃
I did a comparison with batches 14 and 15 and my favourite was combining the two.
Now that's interesting!
Hello, please can you help explain any relationship connections or differences between peat-iness and smoke-iness characteristics, thanks.
Really good question. Whenever someone talks about smokiness in Scotch it's almost always from peat having been used to flavour the malt. Initially this was done as a necessity to dry the malted barley and stop the germination process. These days it's done purely for flavour.
There are lots of different types of peat which all give different flavours though and how you use the peat and how much peat and for how long also has an effect. Sometimes you can end up with a whisky that has wood smoke, exhaust fume, barbecue smoke or coal fire notes but it's still coming from the peat most of the time.
When people use peat as a tasting note though they're often referring to smelling and tasting like smoke from a peat fire. Or perhaps the medicinal and disinfectant notes that a lot of Islay whisky has.
In short, smokiness is almost always from the peat. But peat can produce many other flavours too.
@@WhiskyLock Please accept my thanks for your time and knowledge in making this very helpful explanation about peat and smokiness. By fortunate coincidence we had a "lively" debate last night on the differences of the qualities of the smokiness and peat between Oaxacan "Madre Mezcal Artisanal" (200 ml bottle) and Laphroaig. Your video was perfectly timed to help with the "discussion". It was also interesting to listen to your tasting notes including about the Laphroaig 15 batch being like sweet caramel Oak, sweet barbeque sauce and ashy wood smoke. Plus your detailed explanation including that there is smokiness like the smoke from a peat fire and also the different types of smokiness from different peats. Once again thanks.
Sounds like cs16 is reminiscent of warehouse 1 release based on what you describe with the maritime notes. Is there a similarity there?
Yes I think there is a similarity there. Bucket loads more intensity from the 10CS though 👍
will have to open my Batch 15.
It's one of my favourites 👍
Brought batch 15 home right now (16 already at home for four months)
Both not cracked yet - waiting for good reason but looking forward so much :)
Ah you're in a great position 🙂 I think batches 15 and 16 together cover most of what has been great about the previous few batches. Enjoy 🥃
Thank you for your comparison: I myself prefer Batch 16 because of the sweetness, the BBQ moments and its raw power! Batch 15 lacks "mids" in my opinion, and I love the woodruff I get with Batch 16 that comes with a price admittedly: My taste-buds are going slightly numb. ;o)
There's really no bad batch 🙂 thanks for your thoughts 🥃
@@WhiskyLock True! :o)
Thank you for the video! What's your pick between patch 12 & 15?
Very close. Both very, very good batches!
Thank you for yet another great review. For now I have only tried Laphroaig Quarter Cask, at an early stage in my journey. (Theres been so many other interesting bottles a long the way) But I'll certainly keep an eye out for Laphroaig CS. Could you perhaps recommend an online dealer, that ships inside EU? And btw, where did you find the nice lids for the glencairns? All the best for the weekend, Martin
Thanks Martin. Quarter Cask is a great value for money Laphroaig. Probably the best bang for your buck from that distillery. 10CS is a clear step up though and I think you will really enjoy it.
I'm not the best person to ask for retailers for the EU. Since Brexit all the companies I used to use that were based in Europe have become too expensive for me to use sadly.
The lids I bought from Whisky Exchange and 'Urban Bar' on Amazon. They're often called whisky watch glasses. Cheers 🥃
@@WhiskyLock Thanks so much for info. 🍻And sorry about the EU retailers thing, what was I thinking...🥃
Damnit! Just one day later and letting my dram sit out for an hour, batch 16 is growing on me big time. I can’t say batch 15 is better because they’re both so different, both excellent.
Different but both excellent indeed!
@@WhiskyLock yeah, batch 15 is exactly what the standard Laphroaig 10 should be!
Thanks for the comparison, it does not make the list of my next purchases any easier.
Been looking for suitable glass toppers a while now, could you please share what you are using?
Greetings from Germany
Frank
Hi Frank. Good glass toppers aren't easy to find. I bought some of mine from Whisky Exchange and some from Urban Bar on Amazon. I believe the ones I got from Amazon were better finished with less sharp edges.
They're often sold as 'Whisky Watch Glasses'.
@@WhiskyLock Thank you for your answer and the effort!
I‘ll see you soon
They both sound great. How would you compare these to batch 11?
Both very good batches indeed! I didn't have a full bottle of batch 11 sadly but I think the level of quality between the three is pretty much on par 👍
@WhiskyLock thank you! I have only tasted 11 and 12, and I liked 11 more than 12. 16 just hit the shelves so ill be picking it up! Cheers
Little kid in a sweet shop springs to mind Shane ;-) think you enjoyed doing this, sitting on fences and splinters not a good Idea ( get the tweezers out Lock lad )
A cask strength Laphroaig in each hand... doesn't get much better 😉 Cheers 🥃
I got a question I'd like to ask. How does the batch 15 version stack up to natch 12? I recently got a bottle of the barch twelve, love it, but I just saw a bottle of batch 15 available at a store near me.
Is it as intense and close to batch 12 in terms of its flavors? If not, I'd prefer to spend that money on something else.
I'm posting this before I watch the video, so my apologies if I get the answer I'm looking for by simply watching the video.
Edit: seems like 15 is not what im looking for from the Laphroaig cask strength batches, seems like 16 might be though.
I think batch 15 is a fair match for batch 12. They're both some of the better batches IMHO. If you want a really aggressive and salty Laphroaig you will appreciate batch 16 though.
I wanted to get your thoughts on speyburn 10 and black bottle 10 year old blended scotch. I was looking at these budget pours and wondered what you would buy thanks Andrew
Hi! Honestly I can't help you much with those. I haven't had Speyburn 10 in many years but I did REALLY like Speyburn 15 when I had it recently and intend to buy a bottle once I've cleared my shelves a little.
I haven't had Black Bottle 10 either as the low ABV puts me off. If you want a Black Bottle I would recommend Black Bottle Andean Oak. It is quite woody but works very well and comes in at a proper 46.3% to give better body and flavour. I really like it and it's below £22 on Master of Malt and Amazon right now.
@@WhiskyLock Thanks for the information Andrew
So…any thoughts on batch 15 ? 😂
Whenever I see you review a scotch, I stop in my tracks and push play.
Great comparison and analysis….
I haven’t cracked my b15 yet… but I really enjoyed b13…. Skipped b14 mostly from your take and couple others…. But as you say there really aren’t any stinkers in their cask strength 10 series…fairly priced and consistent with their packaging and lack of bling/flannel.
They pretty much sell themselves because it’s good value for money especially in current marketing/pricing climate.
Cheers 🥃
Nah... pretty indifferent actually 😂 Thank you for the extremely kind words! Agreed that these bottles sell themselves. You feel like you're getting something special without getting ripped off... which isn't as common as it used to be... Cheers John 🥃
👍🏻🥃😁