Laphroaig Quarter Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750 ml

The Laphroaig Quarter Cask is the most wood-forward expression in the standard Laphroaig range — double-matured in ex-bourbon American oak and then transferred to smaller quarter-sized casks for a second maturation period, where the increased wood-to-spirit ratio accelerates cask interaction and adds coconut, vanilla, and a creamy sweetness that softens Laphroaig’s signature peat and iodine without diminishing it.

The quarter cask format revives a pre-Victorian tradition: before the modern 500-litre hogshead became standard, whisky was frequently transported and matured in smaller casks. The reduced cask size means more surface area contact per litre of spirit, which at Laphroaig translates to a noticeably richer vanilla and toffee integration than the 10-year achieves. The peat smoke remains fully present — medicinal, iodine-edged, and coastal — but surrounded by a sweeter, more textured mouthfeel that makes the Quarter Cask one of the most accessible heavily peated Islay single malts available.

Bottled at 48% ABV without chill filtration. Browse the full Scotch whisky collection at Wooden Cork.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Medicinal peat and iodine — classic Laphroaig — with added coconut, banana, and vanilla from the quarter cask
• Palate: Rich and smoky — peat smoke, toffee, coconut cream, light seaweed, and a surprising sweetness beneath the smoke
• Finish: Long and warming with persistent peat, vanilla sweetness, and a lingering medicinal coastal note

Specs

• Distillery: Laphroaig, Port Ellen, Islay
• Region: Islay, Scotland
• Cask Type: Double matured — ex-bourbon American oak, then quarter-sized American oak casks
• ABV: 48%
• Filtration: Non-chill filtered
• Size: 750ml

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Quarter Cask more or less peaty than Laphroaig 10 Year?

The peat level is comparable — both are heavily peated at the standard Laphroaig intensity. The Quarter Cask adds vanilla and coconut sweetness from the small cask maturation, which creates a perception of balance rather than less peat. It is often recommended as the more approachable of the two for drinkers new to Islay whisky.

Why is the Quarter Cask bottled at 48% instead of 43%?

The higher ABV is deliberate — Laphroaig bottles the Quarter Cask at 48% to maintain the full weight and texture of the double-matured spirit. The extra strength also helps carry the peat and oak character through to the finish more effectively than a 43% bottling would.