Released in 2004, this bottling was aged for around five years before being finished in a quarter cask for several months, the size of the cask is quite small, thus does not require such a long maturation. This remains a truly great achievement from Laphroaig.
Oily and buttery nose, with toffee, nuttiness, hickory, bicarbonate of soda, rum and raisin ice cream and zest.
Big rush of sweetness, in fact it’s an explosion of sweetness, with fiery chilli heat, TCP, sweet cereals and a touch of cola syrup.
Medium-length, but becomes fruity, with custard and cigar smoke.
I'll repeat the review from 10 Feb 2014, because it's accurate: "...as it was the most horrible experience I've had so far. I don't mind peat but this tasted like it was filtered through socks worn for a week." I only wish I could return it.
Oddly I keep thinking that I don't want this, I want something easier and butterier like the Bushmill's 21 (my fave when I want something easy and buttery), but then when I pour myself a bit it astounds me that I stayed away from it. I LOVE this stuff, but it's very intense. When I drink it, I like to drink a dram or two for the smack in the face, then ease off the evening with a softerer slightly sweeter whisky like the Talisker DE; then on long nights go for another smack in the face or two :). Really I think this is the best scotch I've had in the price range, really close to the 18 though *slightly* more in-your-face and less subtle, but only *slightly*. I could tell them apart in a taste test where both were available to taste, but if you gave me just one blindfolded, not sure I could tell you which it was.
God this stuff is good...
I must say I am a relative newcomer to the delights of whisky, but I do know what i like and this is just superb! Is there really any need to compare?
Caramel,do not that, not neccesary, same with Lagavulin 16. Stop it!! Maybe the new owners will fix that.
