Tastes

Nose: Slowly opens to perfumed violets. Taste: um .... yeasty? Finish: dry and somewhat sour. Overall: Brings tears to the eyes of this writer, for the evening's alcohol ration has been poorly spent. (Flaviar sample, June 7 2016)

Similar to Auriverdes but lacking its salty finish and not as good. Instead there is a hint of the chocolate notes of the Perpetuum. It's better than that release, but still not worth buying at its current price. Looking forward to trying the committee release -- I have a couple of bottles unopened at home. (Store samplings, London, Ardbeg Day 2016)

Nose: Sultans and raisins. Taste: The sherry influence kicks in in the middle, in harmony with the smoke. There's no power struggle here, the flavors are only complementary. Finish: Long and creamy. Overall: Very nice. One of the best I've had from Compass Box.

A nose of summer fields and jasmine. Lemons and peat on the palette. Dry tannic finish with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Somewhere between Great King St and Peat Monster, without the greatness of either. (Drinks by the Dram sample; June 5, 2016)

Pinkish tinge, notes of strawberry, raisins, bitter orange marmalade. Another nice fruity twist on Laphroaig but not sure I could drink a whole bottle.

There's raisin fruitiness on the nose and orange notes under the characteristic smoke. Altogether well balanced, with the sweeter elements less pronounced than in a sherry or port finish. (Drinks by the Dram sample 3/6/16)

Another beautifully balanced whisky from Laphroaig. The interplay of smoke and sherry is beguiling, providing a smooth, leathery mouthful that is neither as overpowering as the distillery's 10-year-old nor as sweet as many a sherried scotch. An aroma of dates and figs lingers in the mouth and the glass. (Drinks by the Dram sample 3/6/16)

Easy drinking, classic Scotch flavors. Floral nose, soft and creamy. Nothing wrong with it, but a bit simple and bland for my liking.

I actually preferred this to the 16 year, which isn't my favorite. Typical kipper nose, but with a very sweet finish. Sampled at Hoi Polloi restaurant in London, May 2016.