This is the best expression of Islay I’ve ever had. Full-bore Laphroaig—iodine and bandaids, balanced by tropical sweetness—but showing its age like Susan Sarandon. The nose is heather honey, toffee, sea salted crackers, and shortbread, with a powerful kick of campfire smoke and petrichor. Laphroaig’s aggressively peaty attack is mellowed into a soft, briny, and earthy palate-entry, with hints of an idiopathological sweetness. The mid-palate is a kaleidoscope of guava, salted dark chocolate, licorice, and overripe mango, with a meaty smokiness offering balance. The finish is where this whiskey truly shines: bright, key-lime and curaçao emerges quickly and assertively; cacao and salinity linger longly; you are begged to take another sip and experience it anew. As close to perfection as I’ve been fortunate enough to experience.