Ian Macleod Islay 8 Year Old As We Get It

I tried this Islay 8 Year Old 'As We Get It' from Ian MacLeod at a friend’s birthday tasting. I thought it was a Laffie, but cannot be certain, of course. I will try it again today, putting it head-to-head with the Laphroaig Cairdeas, the Feis Ile bottling from 2012, that I tried at the very same tasting.

Wonderfully creamy, but also immediately very smoky nose. The medicinal touches are strangely absent, but yellow fruit is all the more present. Mostly apples of all sorts. Applesauce with a good helping of liquorice. A small salty edge, almost to faint to mention. Some citrus and pineapple kicks in. It becomes surprisingly sweet. Adding water brings out some green elements. Think pine cones and ferns, but also moss and wet rocks. Marzipan! It can take water well.

Hmm, it is truly big on the palate. Although it remains surprisingly sweet (again apples and citrus, now grapefruit), the peat really kicks in. Nicely smoky and spicy. Pepper, ginger, salt, liquorice. Some earth. A kick in the teeth, that much is certain. Diluted it becomes just a tad more medicinal and sharp.

Very long finish that remains wonderfully smoky, while the grapefruit reemerges. A tad bitter at the death.

Damn, this is good stuff. And I am fairly certain this is indeed a Laffie in disguise. I prefer it without water.