Laphroaig tasting evening, Sydney, 26 September 18. Whiskey #1. Nose: Soft smoke with sweet floral flourishes and a maritime hint. Some bright phenols, anise, and a touch of the old-school Laphroaig hospital bandages. Palate: Sweetly smoky arrival. Soft flavours appear as it develops - herbal tisane, black tea, mint, lemon, vanilla and coconut. Later some gentle spicy touches of nutmeg and cardamom arrive. Finish: Medium. Smoke, herbal and a smidge of licorice. Easy to drink, friendly, with a smoke-dominated profile that is tamed and smoothed over by fragrant woody notes. The palate is light but surprisingly, given the complexity of the blend, it's a bit lacking in depth. I'm positive this was developed to appeal specifically to novices, particularly novices of smoky whisky. It's meant to be the gateway drug into Laphroaig, for sure. It's best taken in isolation and not compared to other Laphroaig expressions, as it will always come out second best. As I returned to nose and taste it during the evening it became increasingly brash, and there was an aroma of cardboard that became more obvious over time. The price is also problematic. It costs the same as the classic 10 year old and even though, in my opinion, that has slipped a touch recently it is still a more subtle and interesting malt. If money is an issue the 10 year old is better value. "Average" : 78/100 (2.75 stars)