Taster

Nose: Oaky,earthy. Damp wood,humus. Liquorice. Touch of cocoa bean.

Palate: Firm,tangy.Just a touch of sweetness then the assertive presence of oak. A good oaky grip. Once the wood screen is pulled up,loads of liquorice comes on stage.

Finish: Dry,oaky,slightly astringent.

Comment: Oak dominates but still allows other notes to express themselves. There is a touch if stiffness which annoys me in this dram. But the peat one can expect from a Laphroaig is hidden.

Score: 7.5

Taster

Nose: Mature with integrated smoke. Lightly nutty. Beeswax,dried apple,raisin,fruit cake mix and quietly exotic. Just a lick of fresh paint in the background. Tar, black fruits. Elegant.

Palate: A soft,almost dumb start picking up character in the middle where smoke begins to drift over cedar wood and begins to expand. Good balance and integration.

Finish: Robust with chestnut,blackberry tea and the embers of a peat fire.

Comment: The key here is balance.

Score: 8.3