This is a single cask bottling of Laphroaig by Cadenhead’s. It was distilled in 1988 and matured in a bourbon hogshead for 19 years and change. It was bottled in 2017. The cask yielded 168 bottles. The liquor store I went to somehow had 3 of the 168 bottles on sale for $169.99. I bought two of them because I always leave one on the shelf when there are multiples. Etiquette, you know. As a rule, single cask expressions are rugged compared to batches. With batches, such as the obvious companion for comparison for this whisky, Laphroaig 18, the whisky is blended to remove any outlier sharp notes, and then watered down sometimes to a more preferable drinking strength, and sometimes to increase profits. It’s like putting clothes on a person; a single cask whisky is like a naked person and, for 99% on people, they look better in clothes. 99% of single casks can probably use some blending. But sometimes, you just want naked Laphroaig. I do prefer the official bottling of Laphroaig 18 to this; and the two whiskies are actually comparable in that they taste around the same age, and have about the same balance between spirit and wood influence. However, in a completely blind tasting, I cannot always identify Laphroaig 18 as a Laphroaig. This single cask is unmistakably Laphroaig every time in blind tastings. It’s sterilizing a wound infected with Pseudomonas using grapefruit, lemon, and iodine. That’s Laphroaig! This single cask needs a healthy dose of water, as most single casks do. Neat, the finish is abrasive and claws at the back of the throat. With some water, some nice dark chocolate notes emerge and the finish is a long satisfying tobacco leaf and menthol linger. While you’re probably not going to find this particular bottle anymore, I recommend you try some single cask releases if you haven’t already. They are imperfect but unique, memorable experiences. Brands that I can find in the US and that I trust include Cadenhead, Signatory, Gordon & MacPhail, North Star, Blackadder, and That Botique-y Whisky Company. Score: ** (unimaginably good) How much does a bottle cost?: I think retail was $230? How much do I think a bottle is worth?: $260