Laphroaig 16 Year Old Retro Label Whisky Show 2015

Tasting Notes by Billy A

• Nose

  Very medicinal and coastal up front: TCP, ozone-heavy sea spray, freshly peeled Elastoplast and unwrapped bandages. Once you become acclimatised to the initial flavour onslaught, you find icing-sugar sweetness and fruit – sweet apple and unripe pineapple – and herbal notes – ferns, tarragon, mint and fresh spring leaves.

• Palate

  Much more approachable than the nose, with an initial burst of charcoal smoke overcome by a mixture of ripe and unripe fruit: apples, pears, pineapple and even a touch of sweet banana. Charcoal and dry peaty notes build with stony minerality, giving a big and austere smokiness.

• Finish

  Clean peat smoke, anise and fresh mint.

• Comment

  An intense and slightly strange Laphroaig – even more medicinal than usual, but packed with fruity flavour.