Of malt whisky, cider and other drinkables. Carpe aqua vitae.
Nose: Smoke, something fruity and candle wax. More waxy with water, which also brings out malt.
Palate: Fireplace, camp fire, sweet smoke. More bitter smoke with water, burned orange peels, but also a fair bit of sugar.
Comments: Too sweet on the palate for my taste, but still an ok dram.
This bottling is exclusive for Travel Retail (for the time being). The whisky has been finished in new American oak casks (quercus alba). According to Laphroaig this finish achieves ” a blend of peat smoke balanced with warm, spicy vanilla notes.”
Nose: Smoke, a hint of liquorice, cold smoke. Water brings out vanilla and an intense apricot chocolate filling (the Norwegian Twist Aprikos, just the filling), as well as something a bit flowery and yeasty baked goods.
Palate: Smoked, cold rock. With water vanilla and yeasty baked goods.
Comment: Neither the nose nor the palate provides the classic Laphroaig medicinal character. It should also have been bottled at a higher strength (40%? Why, oh why?), but otherwise it is quite nice.
We visited my parents on Sunday and this was temptingly placed on the kitchen counter, so I grabbed the opportunity to write tasting notes for it. My mum was quite pleased with the purchase, complaining only that it seemed to disappear very quickly.
Nose: Orange peel, juniper berries, pine needles, surprisingly little smoke. Only with water does the smoke manifest, as well as green apples and (smoked) meat.
Palate: Warm peat smoke, salty sea, tar, orange, spice. With quite a bit of water I also get apples and spicy sponge cake.
Comments: I will definitely buy a bottle if I get the chance.