"By Appointment to HRH the Prince of Wales" is the header imprinted on the box and on the label. Is this liquor truly deserving of regal approval? Or is it posh rubbish? After all, legend has it during the Norman conquest of Britain, King Edward I, played with the title to his own advantage. In the 14th century, Edward's Norman army was on the cusp of defeating the native Welsh. Upon negotiation, the Welsh declared they would bow to no one but a prince born in Wales. By sheer good fortune, Edward's infant son had been born not too far from the battlefield, and well within the borders of Wales. Being the trickster he was, Edward offered the Welsh their new found Prince, his son, and thus fulfilled the conditions of their surrender! The first thing that struck me about this scotch was the degree of complexity. Having had only two Laphroaig expressions beforehand - the 10 and 10 Cask Strength - I was taken aback by the fluid nuances of the Lore. The wildest off-the-cuff qualities were hints of raspberry in the nose, and the cool menthol and licorice qualities in the finish (thanks fellow Distiller community members). But if I had to settle on a consistent note in the nose, it'd have to be smoked honey ham with cooked chili peppers, even as waves of brine and peat undulate throughout. All good and well, as I was looking for a top-shelf peated scotch that offered something new, or different, with the aim of broadening my palate beyond the already certified heavy hitters like the Ardbegs, Lagavulins, Taliskers, and Bruichladdichs. At it's core, the palate still reflects the profile I normally associate with Laphroiag: lemon, citrus, and charcoal briquettes. But it's enhanced with a generous dollop of honey and smoked meat flavors. The 48% ABV definitely helps with this one, as the journey is long and flows into unexpected places. The finish is where the experience becomes unhinged for me, however. The cool menthol, and licorice, finish eventually drowns out the sweet, smokey, and savory notes leaving an undeniable impression of taking a puff on a menthol cigarette after sampling a BBQ dish. In contrast, the Ardbeg Uigeadail is not as nuanced, but it's palate is dialed in better. The Lagavulin 16 has complexity that is on par, but provides for a smoother if less impactful palate. But both just drink easier and 'get it done' for less. The Lore is one where interplay with tobacco, a cigar, might synthesize the contradictions and contrasts in the palate into a more cohesive experience. But, is it bad? No, far from it. Still, of the three Laphroaig expressions I've had - this is the priciest, yet not the best one suited to my taste. It had a good run, but like the legend of the title, I got what I asked for but not what I had expected. Personal score: 3.75, if you're a Laphroaig aficionado: 4+.