Laphroaig 25 Year Old

Nose:  A touch of water releases the multitude of different flavours.  The initial sherry sweetness is quickly followed by the time-honoured Islay peat tang.  After this opening burst of flavour, there is a smooth fruit ripeness that complements the tang of salt in the background.

Body:  Rich, round and full.

Palate:  The burst of peat that fills the mouth is quickly restrained by a sherry sweetness that slowly develops into spicy apple fruitiness.

Finish:  Very long and warming, leaving a distinct tang of islay.

Nose: Varnished wood, sesame oil, some sherry, floral notes, cinnamon, macadamia, almond, battenburg cake, ginger.  Develops butterscotch and a linseed oil character.

Palate:  Medium-bodied.  Baked apple, restrained spices, then some peat coming through.  Nutty character (almond / brazil nut), oily texture with a hint of brine.

Finish:  Graceful and elegant; fades away just slightly too soon.

Comment:  Pretty mellow stuff.  Twenty-five years in wood has tamed the fire, but the distillery character is still very evident.

TF August 07