Whisky : Laphroaig “Williamson” 6 Year, A.D. Rattray

Country/Region : Scotland/Islay

ABV : 61.1%

Cask : Sherry Butt

Age : 6 Years (Distilled 27 April 2011, Bottled 10 Nov. 2017)

Nose : Tar, charred drift wood, and vanilla bean custard.  Camphor and chai spice led into burning lamp oil, sweet red bean desserts, and honeyed pastries.  A thick smokey rug pervaded everything else as boozy fudge and Irish cream coffee cocktails came to mind.

Palate : Medium bodied and oily with a sharp hit of peat and smoke that parted to reveal bonfires and herbal concoctions.  A bit hot and spicy with black peppercorns, tar, fresh asphalt, and salty windswept coastal dunes.  Water toned down the aggression and brought forward more fruit and a noticeable sherry influence— with cherries and strawberries covered in caramel and tar.

Finish : Lingering asphalt and vanilla bean

Score : 8

Mental Image : C’thulhu Cultists’ Beach Retreat 

Notes :  This was awesome.  Beach bonfires, herbal potions, elder Gods, and a cool salty breeze— I do not know what more one could ask for.  This was young and aggressive, a bit hot at times, but a few drops of water brought out additional complexity while only sacrificing a bit of the asphalt notes on the palate.  I definitely have a preference for young heavily peated drams, so it really is not a surprised I loved this.  The sherry butt, which I assume was probably a refill due to its limited influence, brought enough fruity notes to bring a nice contrast to the peat.  Despite its youthful aggression, this was well balanced and interesting.

Overall, while this is not the sort of thing I am reaching for every night, when you want something that punches you in the face a little, this was excellent.