Are you a drinker that's cut from a different cloth? Catering for customers who value the rare and unconventional, Laphroaig has long led the field as one of the most recognisable Islay malts and one of Scotland's most elegant and assertive whiskies. But you know what they say about staying on top. Innovate or die. In that same vein, Laphroaig has launched Elements 2.0, the second expression in its Elements Series of experimental Islay single malts, which looks well poised to set the single malt field afire. 

Laphroaig Elements is a series of whiskies that delves into the artistry of production – making a richly flavoured and characterful whisky that well and truly teaches you to trust the process. Experimentation in single malt is often reserved more for cask maturation than at the end of the whisky-making process. However, the Elements series was brought about by investigating how whisky character evolves when distillation methods are tweaked at the distillery on Islay.  

Laphroaig Elements 2.0, bottled at 59.6% ABV, features a fruitier nose and palate, achieved through a trailblazing process where fermentation was extended up to 115 hours (almost double the traditional time) while maintaining Laphroaig’s signature peaty character. It really is the best of both worlds – capturing the flavour of extended fermentation while preserving the flavour of Laphroaig the world knows and loves. 

What does it taste like?

Expect vibrant notes of stewed apples, vanilla custard, and zesty orange peel, alongside a subtle hint of peat on the nose, and a palate of green apples, runny honey, cream soda, smoked seafood, and soft peat. With a smoky finish, Elements 2.0 is a finessed but punchy whisky that differs from your standard Scotch. The non-chill filtered whisky is a delight to look at, too, with a scintillating pale gold hue. This is a whisky that will stick with you long down the line.

Why should you buy it? 

This second release follows the success of Elements 1.0 and allows the team at Laphroaig to have free rein to produce something unexpected that embodies the Laphroaig profile while adding a new dimension of flavour. They played with various combinations of cloudy and semi-cloudy wort, the sizes of the mash tuns, and tried two different barley varieties. Suffice it to say, it's a hit. And, with autumn and winter on the way, what better time to grab a bottle? 

Why does it matter?

The second release from the Laphroaig Elements series is one of those rare bottles that makes you sit up and take notice; bold, unapologetic, and full of character. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but then, who wants a whisky that plays nice? This is Laphroaig at its best: all the smoke, iodine, and salty tang that slaps you around the chops and makes you feel alive. But here’s the kicker – there’s an elegance beneath the bluster, with a surprising depth of citrus and vanilla lurking beneath that bonfire. It's a whisky that makes a statement and one that's as wild and uncompromising as the land it’s made in. If you're serious about whisky, this is a must-have for your collection.

For more information visit laphroaig.com and to purchase visit thewhiskyexchange.com