Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish

Nose: smokey, with hints of sea salt and peat Taste: full of flavor, notes of black pepper, brine, sherry and peat Finish is long lasting but not overly strong Overall, while the sherry comes to the front of this scotch, still a great dram

Color: Caramel corn. Nose: Blackberries, currants, rose bushes, and a light medicinal smoke. Fruit-forward, peat understated. Palate: Chocolate and espresso at the fore, with dried fruits as you go. Some meatiness, as you find bacon with maybe a little maple. Once again, sweet sherry notes balance (i.e., mellow) the peat. Exactly my style, but just a little less oomph than I want. Finish: A bit more Islay smoke here. Sooty and savory, if not overly developed. This is where it most resembles the standard Laphroaig 10 Year. Diluted: Water actually seems to help you find more of the peat on the nose, with a nice marine character. Same to an extent on the palate, but it also plays up the berry sweetness in particular. Finish is a little more caramelly, and just a touch too juicy for my taste.

Continuing my Laphroaig series is a sample of their 10-year sherry oak that was generously provided by @ctbeck11 The nose starts with a mix of tangy smoked short ribs, cherries jubilee and moderate campfire smoke then dark chocolate mocha, light diesel fumes, mild ocean brine and toasted hazelnuts followed by bacon wrapped dates, caramelized pears and blood orange sorbet that transitions to light baking spices and freshly opened can of tennis balls with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy red berries before a mild spice that quickly fades to tangy smoked short ribs, strawberry shortcake and moderate campfire smoke then dark chocolate mocha, burnt rubber, sun soaked asphalt, mild ocean brine and toasted hazelnuts followed by bacon wrapped dates, caramelized pears and blood orange sorbet that transitions to light baking spices and freshly opened can of tennis balls with medium ethanol burn. The finish is long, starting with a mix of dark chocolate covered candied bacon, grilled figs and sautéed strawberries that fades to moderate campfire, asphalt, light ocean brine and freshly opened can of tennis balls that lingers for minutes. This is a wonderful smoky and sweet dram that the peat and sherry work perfectly together to create this balance of rich smoked meats along with creamy citrus, berries and mild earthy notes that lingers long after each sip. At a price of around $90, I’d happily buy one of these on sight next time I see one and think this is an absolute stunner of a dram by Laphroaig that thankfully isn't outrageously priced these days. Ratings for the series: 10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75 10-year sherry oak- 4.0

Nose: walnuts, honey, cherry pie Mouth: charred cherries, creme brulee, almond, wool, leather Finish: lingering campfire, pecans,

Nose: band aid, freshly opened tennis ball can, mossy peat, and lurking underneath cinnamon and strawberries. Some walnut develops as well. Palate: fresh plastic toy covered in red fruit syrup. Finish: strawberry menthol, hint of citrus, beach tar, mossy peat. More vegetal than smoky. After a minute the red fruit syrup and fresh plastic toy re-emerge. A fruitier and somewhat tamer Laphroaig. Nice sweetness from the sherry cask. Complex.