Laphroaig – Select (70cl, 40%)

Laphroaig Select is an Islay single malt bottled at 40% in a 70cl bottle. It is matured in first-fill ex-bourbon quarter casks, Pedro Ximenez sherry hogsheads and European oak triple wood casks. The core of the spirit comes from whisky given a final six months or so in virgin American oak, in the highest parts of the warehouse. New oak is unusual for Scotch maturation. It won gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2020 and 2022. The nose has forward peat smoke followed by ripe red fruit. The palate is sweet at first, then peat smoke with ash and seaweed. The finish is long and floral, with touches of marzipan and lime.