Laphraoig Càirdeas Lore Cask Strength
59.6% abv
Nose: Delicately sweet. Peaty, somewhat of an acrid cleaner underlying it. Smells like it’s going to be peppery. A little musty.
Palate: Wow, yep that’s hot. Zinger. Subtly bitter and sour. Salty. Old cough syrup. Sourdough crackers. Fairly good mouthfeel, juicy and gives your mouth a bit of a buzz.
Finish: Peat wafts. Werther’s candy initially, but gives way to the salt, cough syrup, and crackers. Pepper, up and down on the heat. Antiseptic here and there.
There’s some really great stuff here in spurts, but I thought it was too hot and not all that cohesive. I appear to be in the minority with this opinion, but this has elements that detract from the experience for me.
Score: 2.5/5
Mental Image: Spicy cough syrup phenols.