Whisky : Laphroaig 10 Year SMWS 29.92 “Sweet and smoke intensity”

Country/Region : Scotland/Islay

ABV : 63.2%

Cask : Refill Sherry Butt

Age : 10 Year (Distilled April 2000)

Nose : Meat, caramel, and asphalt.  Caramelized balsamic glaze and bacon with notes of fresh tar and hot asphalt.  A faint bit of maritime salt faded to sweeter notes of lemon pepper sauce, dulce de leche, salted caramel, and shave ice dropped in the parking lot.  A bit of youthful sinus-clearing heat.

Palate : Medium-bodied with a bold profile of fruit, asphalt, and spice.  Tar and salt hit first with bright pink peppercorn kick not far behind.  Fruit and charcoal smoke left the impression of charred summer fruits, salted caramel apples, and dried berries.  Chinese five-spice and licorice remained near the end with fruity notes of strawberries and balsamic vinegar.

Finish :  Lingering charred fruit and pepper.

Score : 7

Mental Image : Summertime Tailgating

Notes : At a recent local Laphroaig-themed tasting this was the number two favorite of the night with a few votes for best.  I was not one of those who ranked this as best in show, I placed it somewhere closer to third.  I mention this because while I thought this was a tad young and hot— though that might not be a problem if you love Laphroaig— there were others who adored the aggressive sweet fruits and pavement on this.  I think I missed the more medicinal side of Laphroaig which disappeared under the sherry.  There were moments when slightly herbal notes appeared on the nose and palate, but it was always buried deep under everything else.

Overall, this was a decidedly fine dram, but I thought it fell a bit short of the mark and I am sure some of the local tasters who see this will let me know they disagree in the future (I originally scored this a 6 and I am sure that would have scandalized them.)  I think they might also find it even sacrilegious that I would rate the Laphroaig PX a hair above this. Generally, my favorite Laphroaigs have had less cask influence and my highest rated ones have almost all been ex-bourbon maturations— all that said, this was still a treat.