Nose: Quite farmyardy to begin with, then wet flax, linen and a delicious sooty smoke - the signature Laphroaig coaldust aroma. Old school Laphroaig of the best kind.
Palate: Richer than expected, with both a big coal hit and a syrupy, sherried sweetness. Very seaweedy. Develops woodsmoke. Power, sweetness and complex peat / smoke characteristics, with a reassuring weight on delivery. An accomplished, polished dram.
Finish: Very long, with a big spicy tingle and the sweetness coming through. Long coal burn. Salty. Wow, this really is long. Terrific.
Comment: Much, much better, in this reviewer's opinion, than the first batch of 25yo which was bottled at 40%. The extra strength gives this dram a far more assertive personality. This is classic old Laphroaig at the top of its game.