Laphroaig 25 Year Cask Strength (2013 Edition)

Julio’s ‘Meet and Greet’ event."

Not sure if this is the right picture for the review of this I believe 2018 edition. Nose - So i get candy cigarettes, lemon lime, a bit of a real cigarette smoke, iodine, and there's a savory note. This is oddly similar with a bit more citrus than some of their younger elements. Taste - elements of vegetable, vanilla, oak, powered sugar, some citrus fruit, oak almost mutes some of it. The finish is that candy and soft peat. Anyone who thinks 25 years will get rid of the peat punch is crazy, this is heavily peated by any standards. But with it comes so much complexity, so much nuance, so much just awesome whisky. I always struggle with nuanced notes on peat, but as a peat lover this is hands down my favorite heavily peated whisky to date, pushes the ardbeg 23 out of the way. I'm not honestly a fan of Laphroaig generally but this 25 year is amazing. I'm debating a 4.5 vs a 4.75 and i think I'm settling on a 4.5 but it's a STRONG 4.5. This is a bottle I'll replace at almost any price as I need this always in my collection.

Perfect example of big and bold, complex and lasting (finish not the bottle). Special occasion due to the price but no regrets in spending large for this expression. Magnificent.

The smoke and iodine is so tamed by the bourbon barrels. It doesnt need to be watered at all. It's incredibly balanced and I wish it wasnt so hard to find. I'll be wishing every scotch I drink from now on would taste like this