Laphroaig PX Cask

As much as I hate business traveling, one of the perks is picking up whiskies not often available state side. I was lrecently in Manchester, and picked this up from the duty free. Not bad---$90 for a liter. II'm still partial to the DE as my hands down favorite (and furthermore, it always reminds me of my late mom's fresh homemade samosas with this spicy smoked tomato tamarind chutney), but this is almost up there. Modern Drinking and Peter Kaalundi's review nail it---this starts off with a smoky seawater aroma, and the taste then continues starting with brine and smoke, but quickly converts to a sticky smoky sweet, like a Kansas City barbecue. This is no where as "grow hair on your chest" strong smoke like the 16, or the samosas of DE, but I'd say somewhere in between. If you happen to be coming up on an international trip, save space in the hand luggage for this. It's well worth it.

This is my first experience where I have learned in some cases to listen to the reviews versus the Expert Rating. I'm a Laphroaig fanatic for its intense peat, smoke, iodine, and brine. 10 is my go to dram. Just went on vacation and was able to pick up the PX. The nose is so different from my favorite 10. More alcohol, sweet, just a hint of peat. On first sip the peat, smoke, iodine and brine hit like my old friend the 10, albeit a bit more subdued than the 10. Do not fret, however, the finish is the most amazing sweetness (I assume from the sherry cask aging). Then comes leather, salt, and smoke again. Interestingly, the next sips reversed with the sweet leather and salt hitting first. Amazingly complex. This Scotch is a home run. I highly recommend it. Expert rating should be much higher.