Aged 10 Years
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
43% ABV (86 proof)
~$40 (sample provided)
Color: goldenrod yellow, clear (non-hazy).
Smell: classic Islay peat monster nose. It's only 86 proof, but the smell hits you like a ton of stinky bricks. It smells like a Band-Aid that you take off after you shower - in a pleasant way! There's plenty of smoke and brine, as well as quite a bit of toasty oak influence and some nuttiness. These aromas are the most prominent, but there is also a sweet honey cereal note underpinning everything. Complex and inviting.
Taste: soft on entry - nice mix of honey sweetness and toasted bread. The wet bandages come into play on the transition, where the iodine and smoke take over. Nice medium-long finish, punctuated by a lasting smokey nuttiness, dirt, and some prominent oak.Overall: really solid, and a great value to boot. It's a B+ for me, and recommended. My only gripe is that the oakiness is a little too prominent - I'd actually love to taste this after only a few years in oak to compare. Also, Camper English of Alcademics has a great write-up of his trip to Laphroaig, if you're interested in learning (much!) more about how it's made.
