Laphroaig An Cuan Mór

I finally had the chance to try this travel retail exclusive whisky, thanks to a friend in Maryland. I purchased a bottle about six months ago but have hesitated to open it as supplies have vanished, and I'd like to keep one for later. My buddy opened his for his YouTube channel review and kindly sent me a sample so I wouldn't have to break into my own bottle. It has an antique gold color in the Glencairn and leaves behind some very heavy droplets when swirled. It took quite some time for thick, indistinct legs to form, though. It's an oily spirit bottled at 48% ABV. The aroma was dominated by smoke, butterscotch, and a band-aid note for a long time. Some faint citrus and malty sweetness eventually emerged, offering a pleasant departure from the typical Laphroaig profile. The palate presented BBQ brisket and sweet sherry cask notes, along with a dense, medicinal quality that struck me as unusual, mainly because it didn't seem very well integrated. I expected the flavors, but they didn't appear to be blended. I detected smoke and BBQ, then medicinal and band-aid notes, alternating back and forth. The finish is velvety smooth, smoky, warm, and oily. The flavors linger, and I do perceive some zesty lemon peel as a residual flavor, ending on a positive note. Overall, this is a delicious no-age-statement whisky that slightly falls short of the Lore bottle. Lore possesses a well-aged complexity that is absent here, but this remains a very solid dram. Rated 4.25 stars. Cheers.

Aromas: Smoky scent, a touch of orange and dark honey, typical iodine with a hint of wintergreen. Taste: A woody entry with a mild nutty sensation resembling water chestnut. It develops a creamy, sweet, oily, chocolatey, tangy character but it disappeared too fast for my preference. Some spicy salt and a return of the orange/honey sweetness from the nose appear late in the development, but regrettably, it became slightly sour near the end. Aftertaste: Medium/long. Oak tannin and spice, tobacco. Woody overall but with a concerning metallic hint to the lingering taste. This is a commendable whisky that seems like a more mature version of both the 10 year old and Quarter Cask expressions, yet it is more engaging than either. It possesses good weight and texture with more substance and presence than the 10 year old, largely due to the considerably higher abv, but its style is surprisingly similar. It has more sophistication and complexity than the Quarter Cask with superior balance and none of the resinous note in that expression which I dislike. This would be my obvious selection among these three whiskies if not for the price, which I believe is excessively high for an age-statement-free whisky primarily composed of young casks. I sampled this from a 30ml portion and while I did appreciate it, I doubt I would ever purchase a full bottle. "Very Good": 85/100 (4 stars)

This is a very fine whiskey that I will likely never purchase (this review is based on a small sample). That's not due to uncertainty about my next airport visit. While it might be among the better travel retail exclusives currently available (assuming it still is a TR exclusive), it doesn't distinguish itself from other Laphroaig expressions. I would be keen to taste this alongside the 10 year old and the 10 Cask Strength, as it appears to be very similar to both, with an alcohol content somewhere in between. It definitely possesses the same ashy peat, sea salt, vanilla, and medicinal notes. If the An Cuan Mor were priced between the 10 and the 10 Cask Strength, I would probably buy it. But it seems to cost around $100, approximately $40 more than I believe it warrants compared to the 10 year olds. However, who knows? Perhaps the next time I find myself at an airport (and thrilled by the prospect of travel again), my enthusiasm will take over. It's certainly not a bottle I would regret finishing.

You know what would improve this? Not having to drink it at 6 AM in Newark Airport. So, it's Monday morning, and I was scheduled for a flight from EWR to PHX. I accepted this sample generously offered by a friend, intending to enjoy it after a long day in Phoenix in my hotel room. I even placed it in its own sealed bag. However, Ms. TSA stopped me after scanning my luggage, informing me I couldn't bring it. "But why? I have larger liquids like shaving cream and cologne. Why not this?" No explanation was given. But I refused to let my Laphroaig end up permanently in some TSA confiscation bin. I stepped out of line, went to a bar, requested a glass with a small amount of water. And thoroughly enjoyed this fine piece of craftsmanship. Classic Laphroaig, but with less intensity, some dates and figs, and a touch of astringency at the end. I need to buy a bottle. Thanks for the sample, friend!

Another sample dram from a 2018 festival, acquired at Laphroaig's Filling Fair. This travel retail exclusive's name signifies "the big ocean," and the dram evokes a piece of leather, weathered by repeated immersion in seawater and subsequently dried in intense sun. The notable finishing characteristic of this expression is purportedly aging in virgin European oak casks, though I'm uncertain of their positive impact on the final product. Its aroma features wax, oil, buttered rolls, and smoke. The palate is salty, perhaps excessively so, with vegetal peat and dry, bitter vegetables akin to brussel sprouts cooked without oil. It concludes with a dry finish of herbal peat, sour lemon, and bitter oak. It's a bit too dry and bitter, rather than richly smoky, for my liking. This is a pricey dram at $100 or more in airports and duty-free shops, and I consider it a poor value considering the quality of other Laphroaigs.

Absolutely magnificent. Even surpasses "Lore" (which I rated 99 out of 100). An Cuan Mòr translates to "Big Ocean" in Gaelic, and this is a travel exclusive release from the consistently excellent Laphroaig. Bottled at 48% ABV, it is reportedly 18 years old. On the nose, peat is present as socks, Grape candy, Oranges, Tar, and Roasted crest from a cake. Delightful. Potent. On the palate, initial notes of Caramel and Oranges, Red fruits and a Smoky sensation that envelops all those sweet, fruity notes. Beautifully constructed, Full mouthfeel, very rich. Lingering notes are long, spicy, peppery, and clove. Simply an outstanding dram, deserving of a perfect score. Cheers!