I like Laphroaig enough where I’d buy a sample of anything for the opportunity to try it, but the “Big Ocean” name implying emphasis on maritime elements would be appealing enough to attract me even if I wouldn’t buy it no matter what.
Laphroaig An Cuan Mòr, Islay Single Malt, 48% ABV
Minutia: Matured in ex-bourbon casks and then European oak casks. Reviewed blind, neat in a glencairn.
Color: Tawny, 1.4.
Nose: Sharp rich fruit, earthy smoke, bit medicinal. Rubbing on hands gives chocolate and an absolutely delightful snuff. The nose gets better as time goes on.
Taste: Musty, leather, pepper. Thinner than nose would suggest.
Finish: Smoke, something savory (never had a fig but maybe that? The bottle says burnt apricot so maybe that’s this?), salty. Medium-long.
Guess: My gut was saying Octomore, but I’ve been fooled by too many Laphroaigs this Advent calendar not to guess Laphroaig.
I was expecting this to be one of the well aged OBs or maybe an older Elements of Islay release rather than a travel retail NAS based on how good it was, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The taste was a step down from the truly excellent nose. I almost didn’t want to sip it at all and just keep smelling it, easily the star of the show. I had a plan to place an order after trying the 24 samples in the calendar if I liked any enough to buy a bottle, and this would make the cut if I wasn’t already getting 2 bottles each just under $200. Could easily see myself tacking a bottle onto an order in the future, though.
Score: 91
Musical Evocation: Alestorm – “Wolves of the Sea”
Here are links to the other posts from this calendar:
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