Whisky : Laphroaig 22 Year SMWS 29.268 “Essence of Gelfling”

Country/Region : Scotland/Islay

ABV : 50%

Cask : Ex-Bourbon (20Y), 2nd Fill PX (2Y)

Age : 22 Years (Distilled 26 Nov. 1996)

Nose : Subtle and complex with herbal smoke and fruit.  Night market in an old fishing village: wooden cedar planking, bamboo stalls, fried pastries, grilled meats, grilled mochi, persimmons, and sakura ice cream.  Floral and fruit notes drift behind the sweet smoke with subtle spice and pink peppercorns.

Palate : Medium bodied and oily with fruit, asphalt, and subtle herbal notes.  Eating a bowl of papaya and strawberry shave ice with ice cream in the center while sitting beside a freshly paved parking lot.  Slightly bitter notes of matcha and menthol contrasted against sweeter notes of sakura and brown sugar pastries.  Subtle nutty notes along with cocoa butter and espresso ice cream arrived on the finish.

Finish : Long with roasted nuts, a mild dryness, and freeze dried strawberries.

Score : 8

Mental Image : Fishing Village Night Market

Notes : If this was what Gelfling tasted like, then I really understand the motivation, or even desperation, of the Skeksis a lot better.  This was delicious.  This struck an excellent balance between restrained peat and a subtle sherry cask finish.  This almost had the same delectable herbal notes as a bottle I had the fortune to try back in 2019 that Douglas Laing bottled for La Maison du Whisky.

Overall, this had an excellent name and a beautiful profile to match.  There was not much I would have changed about this dram as the palate offered tons of intriguing notes and a great nose that surfaced some really specific nice memories.  I wish the finish lasted even longer, but thats a minor quibble for an otherwise solid bottle.