Review #074 Type: single malt scotch Proof: 58.5% Comments: aged 10 years, matured in ex-bourbon barrels, bottle originated from batch 16, bottled in December 2022 Tasted after: Laphroaig 10 Year Appearance (no score): Auburn color. Swirling reveals a thin line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Lemon rind and grilled pineapple mingle with smooth vanilla, black tea, and a bit of coconut. After resting and nosing for a couple minutes, the iconic adhesive bandages and iodine notes begin to make their presence known, but remain subtle, as does the peat smoke. Palate: 34/40 Spicy oak tannins and ashes dominate here, accompanied by puffs of peat smoke, honey, lemon candies, licorice, burnt caramel, and sea salt. Finish: 35/40 Nice long finish, here is where this whisky truly shines! Some adhesive bandages and old rubber tires kick things off with a moderate lingering peat smoke, then just briefly it takes a sweeter turn with honey and something tropical, grilled mango perhaps? Slowly those becomes more spicy and bitter with oak tannins and black tea, fading to ashes, dried seaweed, and sea salt. With Water: A couple drops of water brought out some really enjoyable milk chocolate on the palate which also seemed to mute some of the spicy flavors and smooth it out a bit. This has an interesting side effect whereby I now also perceive that the intensity of the finish has increased slightly. Total: 87/100 Final thoughts: It was certainly a fun roller coaster to sit down with this bottle after a few sips of the standard 10 year. This one is a lot more citrus forward and sweeter, but less medicinal. This is a great whisky, but I personally really enjoy the unique medicinal, industrial, and maritime qualities that make the 10 year so unique, so I was disappointed to see less of those in this bottle. Still it’s a uniquely different and exceptional bottle in it’s own right! Price: $74 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.