Laphroaig Single Cask Selection: 2014 Virgin French Oak, Cask #6054

Smell: - undiluted: a potent, sharp peat, a surprisingly robust floral heather, a piercing spice, clove and anise with a whisper of cinnamon. A soft sea air, a touch of caramel/vanilla. - with a little water: sweeter notes emerge. lemon vanilla creme brulee, almost a stone fruit scent, poached pear. Taste: - undiluted: immense, viscous, intense. Strong peat initially yields to a deeply spiced mid-palate. A trace of that heather scent remains here along with perhaps candied lemon peel? Bitter cocoa powder. Astringent oak. Remarkably potent sea salt as it transitions to the finish. - with a little water: dials back the heat considerably. Reduces the thick, oily mouthfeel substantially. Freshly baked pastry and vanilla cream are appearing now. A more noticeable lemon peel. Mild warm spices throughout, a hint of white pepper. Aftertaste: Undiluted: Strongly warm and numbing. Long. Roaring peat fire on exhale. With water, less warm/numbing, a bit more oak. Still a prominent phenolic peat.

Nose: Initially, classic pungent Laphroaig peat, medicinal, rubber, and burning wet coastal vegetation. A distinct salinity. It then reveals a strong spicy character with some charred oak. Notes of vanilla, black pepper, cinnamon, and clove are present. Adding a few drops of water brings warm baking spices to the forefront with creamy vanilla and charred oak, giving it an almost bourbon-like aroma. The peat, while still noticeable, is somewhat subdued. Palate: Rich, oily, and full-bodied at cask strength. Strongly phenolic peat, hints of iodine/rubber, Mexican hot chocolate/dark chocolate with cinnamon and cayenne. Vanilla, caramel, chewy malt. Clove, a touch of anise. Robust spiciness, with a bit of chili as it moves to the finish. There's also a green note... interesting. With a few drops of water, vanilla becomes more prominent, and you notice significantly more white pepper and increased salinity. Finish: Smoky, wet, burned peat, creosote, tannic oak, very drying. A hint of green bell pepper. Maritime air.

Nose: At full proof: pungent Laphroaig peat is initially front and center. Strong salinity, smoldering wet leaves, transports me to a foggy wooded coastline. This follows with a deep vanilla bean, prominent spicy oak, a touch of worn leather and just a hint of lemon peel. A few drops of water: sweet and warm baking spice comes out here, the peat while still present plays a lesser role. Sweet vanilla cream, and caramel appear Palate: At full proof: sharp and prominent oak influence here. The only other Laphroaig that I have had which was close to this level of oakiness was the Quarter Cask. Strongly phenolic and medicinal peat. Hints of vanilla and citrus zest A few drops of water: peat remains dominant, but the sweeter sides of the whisky come out. There's almost a sweet bread/pastry note. The sweeter aspects of the French Oak really shine here with some water Finish: long and warm. Creosote, medicinal, biting and drying tannic oak.

Nose: sweet vanilla cream, gentle caramel, a touch of baking spice. Sweet oak, a faint sea spray, and a more subdued peat influence than I recall. Palate: oily, sweet, rich, and full-bodied. Pungent peat emerges more prominently here. Again, a notable vanilla influence, with caramelized oak sweetness. A hint of chili oil appears as it transitions to the finish. Milk chocolate and candied orange peel are present as it coats the palate. Finish: drying oak tannin, phenolic maritime peat. Strong salinity, ashy.