When I first exploring whisky and getting into the nuances of aromas, flavors and learning more about regions and the varieties within the regions, I gravitated toward Islay produced scotch. The big three: Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig were doing their thing and keeping it simple. NAS versus aged-stated whisky, non-chilled filtering were big debates and who was the best Islay. Variations were essentially limited but quality was high. All three produced exceptional product and prices were reasonable. I gravitated towards Laphroaig. Fast forward to today and the what do I see? Laphroaig by and large is holding steady with their range and producing quality at a reasonable price. Lagavulin has branched out extending their marketing with deals with Nick Offerman, but has largely kept to its standards. Ardbeg has, in my opinion, has gone balls out and anything it makes they label it and sell it, confusing the loyalists with noise. Too many offerings to count and high prices. Does this cheapen their good will/brand (I will leave this for debate but I have my opinion)? Where am I going with all this? This sample of Laphroaig 18 brings me back to that period of time with this sample from a long time back from Spirited Pied-piper @PBMichiganWolverine who benevolently shares and graciously provided me a sample that I will enjoy tonight. N: Unmistakable Laphroaig smokey sweetness immediately in your face. Not muscular or punchy but refined and sophisticated. Wonderful. An aroma that can be nosed all day. Iodine, lemonade, black tea, honey, apricots, shucked oysters, butterscotch, caramel apples, white pepper. The nose incorporates about every good quality of scotch. Visions of September oyster roast on warmed afternoon. P: Softly encroaching on the palate with a light and peppery bite. Irish and Lapsang souchong tea with honey. Smoked brisket with brown sugar bbq sauce provides briny, savory flavors that tends to water the mouth. Salted caramel in wrapped milk/dark chocolate. Almonds and oranges, cinnamon. As it opens, it the brown sugar intensifies, blissfully so. F: A long finish that you are glad that stays around as you want to keep all that goodness as long as possible. Charred oak, brown sugar that devolves to caramel over vanilla custard. Cigar tobacco ultimately remains on the palate indefinitely with the butterscotch sweetness. O: An amazing artistic expression. Perfect strokes of aromas and flavors. A Starry Night, a Madam Monet and Her Son. Why Laphroaig discontinued producing this, I don’t know. But it’s a force. When it was readily available, it was attractively affordable and fitting perfectly in the range of their 10 and 15 year old offerings. The NAS Lore replaced this (which I have not enjoyed yet enjoyed). The balance is spot on with sweetness, dryness, smokiness, and savoriness. The flavors are never ending, vibrant, apparent and work together synergistically, like a team of crew rowers or brush stokes on a painting. Many thanks to my long-time Distiller mate @PBMichiganWolverine for sharing this long, long ago. [98/100][Tasted: 12/8/23]