It took me ages (but better later than never, right?) to get to those lovely MoS single casks from Sjoerd’s bottle share which was sent over almost 1.5 years ago (I have a big backlog , i know). I was feeling like a nice peaty malt, and this popped into mind, and It definitely didn’t let me down. A young Laphraoig at almost 60% ABV is bound to be a delight for any peat head, right?
Laphroaig 1998 ,59,6% (MoS), bourbon hogshead 700272, 152 btl
Nose: smoke and used bandages. Antiseptic. Very medicinal. Sweet cough syrup. It’s like visiting the Islay hospital if there was one… some Seaweed too.
Palate: Wham! that is an your face smoke bomb! Peat , and massive entry due to the high abv. (Almost 60%!!) , then getting sweeter with the cough syrup and oodles of peat. Tons of it, And then some. Liquorice. Rather nice and massive with sweet peppery peat.
Finish: On the sooty side… with some ash and lingering peat smoke and pepper.
Very enjoyable strong and kicking Laphroaig. I’ve seen more complex stuff around but rather nice for die hard Laphroaig fans.