Rooted in the windswept shores of Islay, Laphroaig has long been the standard bearer for bold, peated Scotch. But Four Oak reveals a softer, more nuanced side of this storied distillery, an exploration of complexity through cask diversity. Designed originally for the global travel retail market, this expression invites both loyal fans and newcomers into a broader conversation about what Laphroaig can be when it ventures beyond the expected.

Laphroaig Four Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky 1L
Brand: Laphroaig | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 40% | Origin: Islay, Scotland | Vol: 1L

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Earthy and maritime, like wet driftwood by a bonfire, layered with toasted oak, ripe banana, and vanilla cream, the peat is present, but mellowed.
Palate: A dance between smoke and sweetness, soft peat smoke meets caramel, orchard fruits, and subtle spice. The texture is silky, almost waxy.
Finish: Lingering and gentle, fading with waves of wood smoke, sea salt, and drying oak tannins.

Production Details:
Laphroaig Four Oak is matured in four distinct cask types: ex-bourbon barrels, quarter casks, virgin American oak barrels, and European oak hogsheads. Each adds a unique influence, vanilla and spice from new oak, depth from sherry style European wood, and concentrated richness from the smaller quarter casks. The result is a whisky that balances strength and subtlety, smoke and smoothness.

Perfect For:
Best savored after a long day, when your palate craves depth, but your mood leans toward something more reflective. Ideal for sipping slowly on a quiet evening, perhaps by a breezy window or a garden bench after rain.

Expert Notes:
Though not the most intense Laphroaig in terms of peat, Four Oak shows off the distillery’s finesse in wood management. It’s an underrated gem in the travel-exclusive lineup, rounder, oak-driven, and undeniably approachable.

Customer Reviews:
"Less punchy than the 10, but that wood influence? Delicious."
"Smooth entry, smoky exit, a great slow sipper."
"Definitely Laphroaig, but turned down just enough to share with friends."

Interesting Fact:
Despite being one of Laphroaig’s softer releases, Four Oak still uses traditional floor maltings and Islay peat, it’s the casks, not the process, that redefine the tone.

Serving Suggestions:
Neat is where the oak complexity shines. But if you want the creamy vanilla and fruit notes to bloom, add a few drops of water. Works surprisingly well paired with dark chocolate or smoked almonds.

Distillery Background:
Laphroaig has stood at the edge of the Atlantic since 1815, weathering centuries of change while holding onto fiercely traditional methods, from its floor maltings to its sea-sprayed warehouses. Known for its medicinal peat and polarizing flavour, Laphroaig remains one of Scotland’s most distinctive distilleries. Four Oak is proof that even legends can evolve, gracefully.