Laphroaig Quarter Cask

On the nose, there was a significant smokiness as well as the classic band-aid aroma. In spite of this powerful nose, the drink did not evoke as much of the briney seaside sense of place as one might expect. The dram was quite viscous; it coated the tongue and had the oily mouthfeel one associates with much older whiskies. In spite of the higher ABV (48%), the drink was quite smooth with little alcohol bite to it. On the palate, the earthiness really asserted itself. There was a mineral quality to the earthiness that was captivating. And the smokiness truly owned the smooth, pleasant finish. I found that a small splash of water brought a great deal of balance to the nose and palate allowing a sizable amount of complexity to emerge. I definitely preferred this one with a dash of water.

This dram is like an intricate piece of music. It’s not something to enjoy absent-mindedly. It is not innocuous background noise. Enjoyed with your full attention, this intense dram cannot possibly fail to intrigue you–even if you think you don’t care for peated whiskies.

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