Laphroaig – 10 Years (70cl, 40%)

This is the 10 year old Islay single malt from Laphroaig, bottled at 40%. It carries a royal warrant from the Prince of Wales and is a strongly smoky malt at around 40 ppm. The water comes from Kilbride Loch, and the spirit matures for ten years in American white oak casks right on the Atlantic coast. The sea air gives it a maritime character with subtle iodine, sea salt, seaweed and driftwood. The nose is smoky and medicinal, with seaweed, salt water, light vanilla and apple. The palate is smoky, sweetly medicinal and salty with earthy notes. The finish is long and intense, with plenty of smoke and a little malt.