The Laphroaig Project
Sometimes a cocktail recipe is so intriguing you can’t help but run out to buy the necessary ingredients so you can mix one up. Sometimes a cocktail recipe is so bizarre you’re frightened to even put the ingredients together in a tin in case the extraordinary mixture results in some horrifying science-fiction-esque accident might occur. The Laphroaig Project is both of these.
They say Scotch isn’t really a spirit for mixing… that it is best enjoyed in a glass on its own with perhaps a drop of water or an ice cube at a push. The Laphroaig Project turns this conviction on its head, choosing to mix one of the most intense, smoky Scotches – Laphroaig – with not one but two varieties of Chartreuse, one of the most intense and powerful liqueurs, as well as maraschino and lemon juice. I suppose on paper it bears something of a resemblance to the Last Word, and as with that drink you really can’t imagine the flavours working together. Until you take a sip of the finished drink that is.
The Laphroaig Project
- 1 shot / 30 ml / 1 oz Green Chartreuse
- 1 shot / 30 ml / 1 oz lemon juice
- ½ shot / 15 ml / ½ oz Laphroaig Quarter Cask
- ½ shot / 15 ml / ½ oz maraschino
- ¼ shot / 7.5 ml / ¼ oz Yellow Chartreuse
- 2 dashes Fee Brothers Peach Bitters
- Shake all ingredients with ice and strain in to an ice-filled old-fashioned glass. Garnish with lemon zest twist.
Created by Owen Westman of Bourbon & Branch The Laphroaig Project first came to my attention on the B&B blog, and then later at Alcademics where Camper declared anyone that can make one without having to shop for ingredients cool. Sadly I didn’t have any Laphroaig Quarter Cask so failed the test, but while I may not be cool I am a shopaholic so soon found myself purchasing a bottle.
The heavy smokiness of the Laphroaig is perfectly tempered by the Chartreuse in the drink, meaning you initially get a herbal Chartreuse and lemon mix, which is then slowly overtaken by the vibrant peatiness of the Whisky. Like it’s vague relative the Last Word it has a remarkable balance, with three incredibly robust spirits all used in decent quantities yet remaining in perfect equilibrium. Bright and refreshing, yet complex and rugged – Scotch may not have many cocktail recipes, but damn it has some good ones…
Posted in Chartreuse, Lemon, Maraschino, Peach Bitters, Recipes, Scotch
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August 20th, 2009 at 5:30 am
This sounds so very intriguing! I love Scotch, but I’m also of the opinion that it works well in mixed drinks. Perhaps that’s because one of my all time favorites is Blood & Sand. I’ll be heading to Bourbon & Branch in a couple of weeks, and I hope this will be available. That is, if I don’t become impatient and end up making it for myself in the next couple of days.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Sounds amazing! Sadly I have none of Chartreuses or the Laphroaig QC in the home, but I do dearly love a great Islay cocktail. If you liked the Morning Glory Fizz, give it a shot with some Islay thrown in; here is a recipe, inspired by my local watering hole Der Raum’s “Islay Morning fizz”
30mL Blended Scotch
15mL Laphroaig (I used the 10yo)
5mL Absinthe or pastis (I used Ricard)
22.5mL Lemon juice
22.5mL Egg white
2tsp (10mL) sugar
3-4 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Mime shake lemon, sugar and egg white to combine, add everything else, mime shake, shake, strain, top with ~1oz soda.
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:57 am
Very interesting, sadly i lack the Laphroaig and yellow Chartreuse.
I love Peychauds! can bathe in it.
T
August 30th, 2009 at 12:06 am
So, how does Laphroaig compare with Lagavulin? And how do you pronounce it anyways?
August 31st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Laphroaig is pronouced la-froyg, but I’m not sure how it compares with Lagavulin; never tasted them side by side.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Both Lagavulin and Laphroaig are both produced on Islay, and use peated malt which produces a very smoky whisky. Therefore I would imagine they are broadly similar. I’ve not tried them side by side however, and as this drink works by very finely balancing the Laphroaig I’d try to get hold of some quarter-cask if you can.
August 16th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
[...] It has come to my attention that people are making cocktails out of scotch – good scotch! [...]