Laphroaig An Cuan Mór

First-fill ex-bourbon casks (from Maker's Mark) for around eight years, followed by a second maturation of a further two years in virgin European oak casks. Nose: medicinal smoke, rubbery, warming spices. On subsequent nosing I can feel some caramel sweetness. Much more sweet than the 10YO. Palate: sweetness, oak, smoke, pungent spices. More pungent than the 10YO. Aftertaste: spices, sweetness, smoke. Little bit creamy texture. Very strong cask influence.

The 48% ABV is apparent in the perception of alcohol burn. It is, however quite nice and not at all off putting. Allowing it to open up some minutes in the glass improves the balance of the rather distinct flavors. Obviously there is smoke and pepper, but there is also some sweetness present on the nose and in the finish. "Enjoyable" : 3.5 stars | Well above average.

This is a very nice whiskey that I'll probably never buy (this review is based on a 2 ounce sample). That's not because I have no idea when I'll find myself in an airport again. While it's probably one of the better travel retail exclusive bottles at the moment (at least I think it's still a TR exclusive) it doesn't stand out from the rest of Laphroaig's offerings. I'd love to try this alongside the 10 and the 10 Cask Strength, because it seems to be highly similar to both, with an ABV somewhere in between. It certainly has the same ashy peat, sea salt, vanilla and medical notes.   If the An Cuan Mor was priced midway between the 10 and the 10 Cask Strength, I probably would buy it.  But it appears to run about $100, around $40 more than I think it's worth in comparison to the 10s.  But who knows?  Maybe the next time I'm in an airport (and thrilled to be traveling again), the excitement will get the better of me.  It's certainly not a bottle I'd be unhappy to consume.

Absolutely fantastic. Even better than "Lore" (which i gave a 99 score out of 100). An Cuan Mòr means "Big Ocean" in Gaelic and this is a travel exclusive expression from the always great Laphroaig. Bottled at 48%abv, it supposedly is 18yo. On the nose, peat presents itself as socks, Grape candy, Oranges, Tar and Roasted crest from a cake. Lovely. Powerful. On the palate, first Caramel and Oranges, Red fruits and a Smoky sensation that wraps all those fruity sweet notes. Wonderfully crafted, Full mouth sensation, very thick. Aftertaste is long, spicy, peppery and clove. Simply outstanding dram, here grab your 100 points out of a 100. Slainte mhath!

Neat in a rocks glass courtesy of Matt the Lion after the Beer Bourbon & BBQ fest in Leesburg on 10/12/19. This was great stuff, but my palate was simply too wrecked from bourbon all day to give any accurate description besides "Hell yeah!"