Laphroaig 15yo (43%, OB imported by Allied Domecq Spirits & Wine, b. ca.2003): nose: a wonderful wave of ashy fruits -- peaches, apricots, greengages, plums and their stones, burnt and turned to as. The ashes grow in intensity, become oily-wood ash, such as teak or mahogany. The ash morphs into dunnage warehouse, and, behind it, comes an ethereal layer of bolder, more-exotic fruits. Melon, Mirabelle plum, guava, carambola. This nose could really be summarised with two words (ash, fruit), yet it encourages many more!The second nose is even fruitier, plum-y as to feel close to plasticine. Soon enough, ash comes back with a vengeance, this time fruit-tree covered in lichen, then reduced to ash. Mulberries make a late appearance, as does something more flowery. Mouth: it is completely in line with the nose, with a superb balance of ash and fruit. At 43%, it certainly does not burn, but it is also far from weak. Chewing brings silky smoked fruits into the spotlight, plum, greengage or similar, dials the heat up a notch and adds liqueur-soaked cherries taken in a wood-panelled smoking room. The second sip is sweet, fruity and fleshy. Mushy peaches, ripe plums, soft bananas, all slowly augmented with overripe Crimson grapes and other berries. There is a murmur of mango further in the back, soon overtaken by slightly-bitter ashes. Finish: it kicks harder than anticipated and supplements the ashes we have now come to expect with charred-wood gratings. It also pours teak oil onto the lot, yet that does not totally smothers the underlying fruits (roasted melon, charred guava and carambola, grilled nectarines). The second gulp brings seal wax to the table, ripe nectarines and hints of mango flesh sprinkled with incense ash, after a while. This is outstanding. 9/10 (Thanks for the sample, kruuk2)
Happy birthday MDa!
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