LAPHROAIG It's Been A Long Way 15 Year Old 2006

Next up in my Laphroaig series, is a sample of a 15-year single cask that is part of The Whisky Barrel’s space theme that was bottled at 53.9% ABV and was generously provided by @Richard-ModernDrinking The nose is bold and mildly brash starting with a mix of smoked brisket, grilled lemon and limes and mushrooms then cocoa powder dusted almonds, moderate ocean brine and burning hay bales followed by sautéed apples, nectarines and gooseberries that transitions to mild baking spices, asphalt and rubber mulch with high ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with an effervescent mildly sour citrus before a moderate peppery spice that quickly fades to smoked brisket, grilled portobellos and charred limes then a spicy mocha, honeysuckle and almond croissant followed by mango, papaya and pineapple that transitions to mild baking spices and mildly bitter black tea with high ethanol burn. The finish is medium length, starting with sweet effervescent citrus that fades to slightly soured tropical fruits, mild tangy smoky meats, burnt hay bales, mild ocean brine, asphalt and mildly bitter black tea. The nose is rather abrasive with mildly astringent fruits battling smoky meats for dominance that seems odd and slightly off-putting that didn’t bode well for what was to be found on the palate. Thankfully the palate isn’t nearly as jarring as the nose suggested with a delightful and refreshing mix of citrus, rich smoky meats, mild florals and slightly soured tropical fruits that suffers from a moderate spice and mildly bitter oaky notes before a mild length finale with those refreshing citrus notes upfront before a mix tropical fruits, tangy meats, and light bitterness. Overall, this is a tough one to rate as it strikes me as a stinky cheese style of dram that I’d prefer to avoid that nose, but I find the flavors on the palate and finish rather pleasant with some slight flaws. I’ll go with 3.25 for now, but could easily see this rated higher by others that are less averse to sour flavors than me. These appear to still be available from The Whisky Barrel’s website for around $150, so if the notes above seem more suited towards your tastes or you really want an Apollo 14 inspired whisky label, I’d say go for it. Ratings for the series so far: 10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75 10-year sherry oak finish- 4.0 Lore- 4.0 2019 Caidreas Triple Wood- 3.75 2020 Caidreas Port and Wine - 3.75 2021 Caidreas PX - 4.0 15-year 200 Anniversary- 4.5 16-year- 4.0 TWB “It’s been a long way” 15-year IB- 3.25