Laphroaig Select
The entry-level Laphroaig. Classic smoky character, balanced by a blend of five cask types, including sherry and new American oak. Great neat, and the Laphroaig for making cocktails.
The friendliest introduction to Laphroaig
Laphroaig Select is a beautifully balanced Islay single malt with the classic smoky character of the distillery. What sets it apart from the 10 Years is its maturation: the whisky is a blend of five cask types, including sherry casks and new American oak, which add sweetness and roundness that temper the peat smoke.
It is bottled at 40%, like the 10 Years, and is the softest and most approachable Laphroaig. That makes it ideal for anyone discovering Islay, and for anyone looking for a smoky whisky to mix without immediately opening a more expensive bottle.
In brief
Sweet beginning, smoky middle, floral finish
Soft and sweet
Select opens sweet, with Laphroaig's peat smoke following gently rather than leading the way.
Dry and smoky
Classic Laphroaig: dry, smoky, and peaty, but rounder and milder than the 10 Years thanks to the five cask types.
Long and floral
A long finish with a surprisingly floral note, as the smoke slowly fades.
Flavor profile of Laphroaig Select neat. In a cocktail, mainly the smoke remains, while the sweetness blends into the other ingredients.
Three ways to serve Laphroaig Select
Select is the Laphroaig you can mix without hesitation. Neat, it is mild enough for a beginner; in a cocktail, it adds just enough smoke.
Neat in a whisky glass
30 ml at room temperature in a whisky glass. Smell it gently first; the sweet nose is the best part. If you want it softer, add one ice cube.
Glass: whisky glass →Penicillin with Select only
50 ml Laphroaig Select, 20 ml lemon juice and 20 ml honey-ginger syrup, shaken vigorously and strained over ice in a tumbler. Smokier than the classic version with blended Scotch.
To the recipe →Smoky Hot Toddy
40 ml Select, 15 ml honey and 10 ml lemon juice in a heat-resistant glass, topped with 120 ml hot water. Add a clove for a winter evening.
Hot Toddy recipe →Laphroaig Select in the shaker
Citrus, honey and ginger love smoke. With Select, you can make these cocktails smoky without the whisky overpowering everything.
Penicillin
Whisky, lemon, honey and ginger. The cocktail most often recommended with Select.
Smoky Whiskey Sour
Whisky, lemon, sugar and egg white. With Select, a classic sour with a wisp of smoke.
Hot Toddy
Hot water, honey and lemon. The smoke makes it even more comforting.
Paper Plane
Equal parts whisky, Aperol, Amaro and lemon. Select adds a smoky undertone.The right glass for Laphroaig Select
A classic whisky glass for drinking neat, a heavy tumbler for the Penicillin, a coupe for the Paper Plane and an Irish coffee glass for the Hot Toddy.
More Laphroaig flavours
Laphroaig
Where it began. On the brand page, you can read all about Laphroaig: its origins, varieties and classic cocktails.
To Laphroaig →
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Small casks bring toffee, vanilla, and coconut alongside the smoke. Fuller and sweeter than the 10 Years.
View Laphroaig Quarter Cask →
Laphroaig Lore
Whiskies aged from seven to twenty-one years in oloroso sherry casks and quarter casks. Rich and smoky, with an almost eternal finish.
View Laphroaig Lore →
Laphroaig 10 Sherry Oak
The 10 Years finished in oloroso sherry casks. Dried fruit and toffee alongside the smoke.
View Laphroaig 10 Sherry Oak →
Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength
The 10 Years straight from the cask. Intense, oily, and explosively smoky; add water to taste.
View Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength →Everything about whisky: the types, the best-known brands, and the cocktails.
Questions about Laphroaig Select
Can’t find your question here? Read more on the Laphroaig page or browse our cocktail recipes.
Everything about Laphroaig →