While still unmistakeably Islay, this expression of Laphroaig shows a slightly gentler, softer and elegant side of the typically bold, briny and peaty production from this distillery. Sure, it still is a very smoky malt and impossible to mistake for anything else than Laphroaig, but it’s restrained, almost ‘gentle’. Lemony and fresh at first, slightly mineral; it doesn’t attack the senses immediately with a peat blast, but rather it lets the smoke develop gradually on the palate. The medicinal and waxy notes linger for a long time after the last sip, in a very persistent and warm embrace that the velvety subtleness of the first approach had concealed. A great Islay malt: elegance and smoothness of maturity, and not for loud and extreme experiences.