The Bonding Dram Smoking Buffalo 3rd Edition

The release of the so-called Smoking Buffalo, in honor of the Belgian soccer club KAA Gent affectionately known as the Buffalos, is becoming a yearly event. After the first two releases (a Bowmore and a Highland Park), it is now time for an Islay Blended Malt. It is a single cask of Laphroaig, teaspooned with some Bowmore. The whisky is 13 years old and botted at a cask strength of 54,9%.

The nose is, despite the high ABV, very accessible. It is pretty peaty, but also very farmy, meaning wet grass, hay and earth. There is a hint of diesel. Some oysters, sprinkled with a healthy dose of lemon juice. Finally, a good helping of vanilla and a pinch of pepper. This is very good!

On the palate, the dram attacks creamily, but piquant. Smoky, with peppers and quite some brine, before the sweetness of the vanilla and citrus are revealed. Some grassiness, but also some smouldering wood. Midpalate it gets really very sweet. Nope, I am not adding any water to this one. It does not need any.

The finish is medium in length on liquorice and smoke.

This is exactly what I would expect from teenage Laphraoig and a profile that I really enjoy. I daresay it is the best of the three Smoking Buffalo releases. I have been told that such a release would be a yearly thing from now on. Hurray! Go Buffalooo!