I have always been a big proponent of distilleries offering a variation of their flagship offering. Of those that do, Laphroaig has been one of the more impressive with its 10-year CS. Enter the Laphroaig 10-year Sherry Oak Finish. A second variation of an already superb standard bottling. Instead of cranking it up to cask strength, we get a nice boost at 48% ABV and an additional sherry oak kick. Nose: Iodine, band-aid, brine, sea salt, seaweed, and chestnut. Heavy oak and some tennis ball, though the sherry notes overpower it where it usually shines in a Laphroaig. Cranberry, raspberry, raisin, and cola. Vanilla and caramel. Custard and mint chocolate. Cinnamon and black pepper spice. Palate: Salty dog, this one. Ballpark hot pretzel. Sea salt and brine with some seaweed. Grilled spinach. An interesting mix of campfire and hookah smoke. Smoked brisket. Mint chocolate and dark chocolate. Salted caramel. Raspberry and chocolate-covered strawberry. Black bean and red pepper chili. Oak spice. Finish: Sea salt, brine, iodine, band-aid and campfire smoke. Mint chocolate. Salted caramel, vanilla. Cinnamon and black pepper. Black bean, red pepper chili. Oak. Long finish. I think this is a fantastic addition to the Laphroaig core line. One of the better and more unique variations I’ve had to date. We’re this a Diageo product, it’d be called “Laphroaig Distiller’s addition.” As it is, I’d say the sherry oak component gives this a bigger boost than anything that series has had to offer. 5/5. If it was not already apparent, I am a huge fan of this one. It’s high-octane, yet the sherry cask adds a ton of nuance that the standard 10-year misses on. At $85, this hits its mark for VFM—and then some. Buy on sight. Well done, Laphroaig.