I think it's a hammer vs screw driver comparison. Different tools for different purposes. Ardbeg has the grassy mineral notes and laphroaig has the medicinal sweet notes
I’m with you. I prefer the Laphroaig 10 (43%) for its complexity and balance of smoke and peat. But, i like mine without water. I have read that The favorite dram of King Charles is Laphroaig 10.
@@topshelfwhisky I rarely see the cask strength here in the Dallas area. I think they are quickly bought. I may have overlooked some bottles since the label is so similar to the standard 43%.
Pretty much agree. Where Im at with them is the nose on the Laphroaig 10 really has that wow factor for me and because of it I lean overall Laphroaig even though ardbeg does perform a little better on the pallet.
Laphroaig is kind of medicinal for me. Not a peat head. But the Port Charlotte 10, though peaty, is quite nice as it adds sweetness to the mix. Will get a bottle of the Ardbeg 10 soon.
In Norway the Ardberg 10 is 46% abv. and the Laphroig 10 is 40% abv. and there's almost no difference in the price. So there's not much of a competition for me. I love the Ardbeg. Great review though, don't think you should catch heat for liking anything.
Laphroaig 10 is at a minimum of 43% in the US, we also have accuses to the cask strength 10 year. Which is a better buy for me at $62. These two are close but I just prefer Laphroaig.
Ardbeg is sweeter in my opinion, Laphroaig is saltier and earthier. Ardbeg is better for pairing or if youre drinking sweet Glennfidich, Laphroaig is better if youre just drinking scotch by itself with no pairing because its bolder.
Laphroaig 10 is 40% ABV in the U.K. Ardbeg 10 is 46%. My money goes to Ardbeg. Laphroaig need to buck up their ideas and stop treating their U.K customers like second class citizens. Both distilleries exploit their customers actually, but Ardbeg know better than to mess about with the 10 year. A 40% Laphroaig isn't in the running. For those outside the U.K that may not be the case. I got a massive bottle of Ardbeg 10 in Travel Retail when I went to Italy last summer. It was the only whisky I had and I learned to love it. (A reminder too that 10 year whisky can be bloody amazing) It's the bedrock of all Ardbeg offerings and the one that they all should be compared with. Would I prefer two bottles of Ardbeg 10 or a Dark Cove? Answer - Ardbeg 10. I love Laphroaig as you know but I'm boycotting the 10 until they increase their ABV. Excellent notes Mike. WT
That still has zero logic to me, why would Laphroaig water down the 10 for the UK? Just like The Balvenie 21... To me the LP 10 cask strength should be the standard. That whisky is incredible and still reasonable at $65 US... I agree both are getting way over priced but I can't help myself when it comes to the Islay's.
