Tasting note

Readily identifiable as a Laphroaig: smoke, peat, and seaweed drifting in and out, but with vanilla, and honey there too. The wave of peat grows in the mouth and coats the mouth, with nut toffee, sea spray, and rich, full, and honeyed malt at the core. Wonderful. (1001 Whiskies You Must Taste Before You Die, 2012)

With a touch of water, the peaty warmth fills the mouth but does not overshadow the sweet chocolate smoothness. This is balanced by the rich toffee taste and slowly fades into a delicate hint of heather and peat smoke. Full bodied, long with a luxurious oily smoothness.

At bottling strength, a soft toffee sweet but faintly spicy flavour counterbalances the trace of delicate phenols and fruit. An all encompassing smoothness brings these together. A touch of water allows the seaweed and salt to come through but not enough to overpower the vanilla and honey sweetness with just a trace of new mown hay and peat at the finish. An instant warming tang of smoke fades into smooth floral scents, which blends seamlessly into an oaky nuttiness and leaves a lasting sweetness on the taste. With a touch of water, the peaty warmth fills the mouth but does not overshadow the sweet chocolate smoothness. This is balanced by the rich toffee taste and slowly fades into a delicate hint of heather and peat smoke.