Young Laphroaig which has spent its life in a 2nd fill ex-bourbon barrel.
Nose: Dry, nutty champagne lees and yeasty buns are smeared in Sudocream and medicinal plasters (but overt TCP is somewhat subdued). Tart cases, salt-baked vegetables and salt-water crust pasty are joined by briny water, menthol and mint leaves. Reduction brings out sweetness with melon and candy chews whilst also adding a smoked beef joint and sticky vanilla toffee.
Taste: A bold arrival of rock pools, brine and floor cleaner is tempered by doughy buns, pastry cases and rocky minerality. Wood smoke pervades – partly medicinal, party bonfire with antiseptic cream and blazing logs. The addition of water soften things up and brings out more of the cask – wall paper paste, vanilla and lemon peels.
Finish: Quite long, salty and with medicinal wipes and charred cask staves.
At this tender age I’d expect a riot of raw, untamed Laphroaig power. But, that’s not quite the case here – whilst the underlying medicinal/coastal (it’s very salty indeed) profile is present and correct, there’s not the concentrated impact I’d both expect and hope for. Solid enough, but not quite Defcon 1.