Secret Sponge Release Six Williamson (Laphroaig) 10yo

Secret Sponge Release Six Williamson (Laphroaig) 10yo

Region: Islay

ABV: 57.1%

Price: £100.20

This marks the sixth and final Secret Sponge Edition. The whisky, distilled in 2014, was initially aged in two refill hogsheads. In 2021, these were transferred into an ex-Laphroaig refill butt for continued maturation. This release consists of 100 bottles from that butt, with the alcohol content reduced from over 65% to 57.1%. The remaining whisky in the butt is scheduled to be bottled sometime between its 15th and 18th years.

Nose

Initially, the nose is dominated by tar, TCP, smoke, ash, and all the peat you’d want or expect from the distillery. Behind these notes, there is a nice savoury layer accompanied by almonds, orange rind, burnt toast, cracked black pepper, and tobacco. Despite being diluted to 57.1%, the alcohol is still very noticeable. On revisiting, hints of cream soda and vanilla sweetness emerge.

Palate

On the palate, the whisky feels a bit hot, reminiscent of sweet chili spice, but it quickly gives way to a robust hit of peat. Many of the same notes from the nose carry through, although the citrus now resembles orange marmalade. Additional flavours of salt water, brown sugar, and kettle chips emerge. The mouthfeel is pleasing, slightly oily with a medium-length finish. A touch of dark chocolate bitterness and a fair amount of peat linger on the finish. It's not as sweet as expected, but it's still enjoyable.

Nose (with water)

With dilution, the nose remains relatively unchanged, becoming just a touch more savoury. The spice and peat are slightly subdued, but it still closely resembles the undiluted nose. As the whisky opens up, notes of cherry jam emerge, along with a hint of warehouse must, and a bit more sweetness begins to peek through.

Palate (with water)

When diluted, the palate features more dark chocolate and a touch more spice on the finish. The mouthfeel is slightly diminished, but the finish maintains roughly the same length. There’s an increase in citrus notes, with a bit less peat. Personally, we feel 57.1% appears to be the ideal strength for this whisky.

Conclusion

This is a good expression of a 10-year-old Williamson, which has retained a notable amount of peat for its age. It's not as sweet as we expected, but there is enough balance present. For us, it would make an ideal winter dram.

Score: 8/10

Value

Sponge tends to be on the pricier side among independent bottlers, but the trade-off is being able to buy blind and know that you’ll get a good quality dram.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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