Taster

Nose: Complex, intense yet graceful. Apples, tar, a beach slathered in seaweed. A tiny drop of water brings out rose hip, anise, lanolin and an intense high balsamic note.

Palate: Very dry to start, it hits the palate with charred embers from a beach bonfire, then mellows into an apple-laden mid-palate...

Finish: ...and smokes its way to the finish.

Comment: Complex, graceful and fascinating.

Score: 9

Taster

Nose: Sea air. Driftwood. Seaweed on the beach. Not as medicinal as I expect from Laproaig. Some sulphur.

Palate: Again, less iodine than usual. Flowery. Peppery.

Finish: Firm, long. More of the typical Laphroaig flavours emerge, especially when water is added.

Comment: There is something getting in the way. Woodiness?

Score: 7.8