Nose: Softer than it's 10 yo brother. More velvety and vanilla-ed. Palate: Typical Laphroaig 10 notes, but velvety smooth. More sweetness here and better integrated. However, if you like intense raw peat of the 10yo, this may disappoint you. Finish: Delightful smokey finish, shockingly well developed and full until the very tail end with no indication of the high ABV. Final thoughts: An experience, and a good one. If you want a velvety vanilla blanket over the Laphroaig 10yo, you'll love this. If you want Laphroaig at it's most intense, stick with the 10yo.