Back to the old hometown for some family celebrations. Staying at a friends house, and being a whisky enthusiast himself, offered freely access to his collection. This and the Sherry Oak immediately caught my eye. Being the eldest, I figure to start with this 16 year old. C: Golden yellow in appearance. N: Start with a base aroma of iodine, rubber tire bicycle tube, add Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, and ocean sea spray; that is the initial introduction. As is it opens, it grows sweeter and earthy. Tanned Leather or suede, hay, mulch, dried oak leaves. P: The brininess carries over onto the palate over a medium dense body. There is a peppery bite on the tongue that keeps things vibrant. The palate senses so much but is overloaded and the mind works to discern. Oak, vanilla, caramel, cocoa, hickory smoked bacon, grilled pineapple, almonds with a fade to the metallic. F: The finish is somewhat lengthy and in this case, that’s a good thing. Cigar tobacco coats the mouth. Wood tannins keep it dry. Milk chocolate and some sweetness with some black tea and honey. O: A Laphroaig is always a good pour. Flavorful, intense, punchy. Dynamic. It does sip as a more youthful whisky than a slower, mature whisky than I would expect from a 16. As with most Laphroaigs, reasonably priced with high quality. An enjoyable dram. [88/100][Tasted: 6/29/23]