Both expressions are triple matured single malt scotch whiskies, differentiated only by the choice of barrel for the third phase of maturation.
The expressions’ first stage of aging is in American oak barrels - sourced from parent company Beam Global’s bourbon brand Maker’s Mark - and is then matured for seven to nine months in 19th century-style quarter casks.
In the case of Triple Wood, the third phase of maturation sees the liquid finished for a year in Oloroso sherry oak casks from Jerez, while the new PX expression spends the period in Pedro Ximenez sherry barrels.
According to Laphroaig, the maturation process is “similar to Quarter Cask", launched in 2004, and is the “marriage of peat, oak and sherry notes”.
Both expressions contain whiskies of between 5-10 years old, are non-chill filtered and carry ABVs of 48%.
The 70cl Triple Wood - which spent two years in travel retail - is priced at £40-50 and launches to global markets during August and September.
PX, which is exclusive to travel retail, will be priced at approximately £65 for one litre and will be available from October/November.
According to the brand, the production process for the PX expression was influenced by suggestions from Friends of Laphroaig, a 450,000-member community of Laphroaig fans.
John Campbell, distillery manager of Laphroaig, said: “Most of the stuff the brand does is through feedback from Friends of Laphroaig. They wanted an affordable sherry-matured whisky.”
“We trialed different styles, but it [the third maturation] had to be European oak.”
According to Campbell, PX sherry grapes are “dried out" to achieve “a sweeter taste” which is then reflected in the taste profile of the finished whisky.
