Laphroaig 10 Year Cask Strength (Batch 1)

Nose: burnt rubber, sea spray, fish, brown sugar Taste is surprisingly sweet once you set the peat smoke and meat taste aside.

Batch 010 58% abv Non-chill filtered Color added Nose: peat smoke! Also rich vanilla, iodine medicinal notes and lemon citrus. Taste: full, velvety and rich, with a sweetness initially hitting the palate of lemon cream pie, vanilla, and creme brûlée, wrapped in a cloud of dense peat smoke, sea salt, and hot spice like jalapeño and cracked black pepper and a hint of nutmeg. Water tames the smoke and enhances the sweetness and ashiness. Finish: long, with an amazing balance of sweet, sour and bitter. The smoke is still there but as it fades leaves orange rind, vegetal earthiness, cigar ash, barbecue, light vanilla and almond while your tongue still tingles from chili spice. Value: $60-80. 100% worth it. Buy two, actually. Final thoughts: you need this in your life. This is a cracking good Islay scotch, blowing the regular 10 year old and Quarter Cask Laphroaigs out of the water. In fact, this may be the best Laphroaig you can readily buy (sorry, Lore). If you see it, and you love smoky scotch, don’t hesitate. Score: 5/5 Go out and buy it now!