Douglas Laing Old Particular (distilled at Laphroaig) 14 year old, 48.4%

Big smoke. Smoked fish, in fact, with some linked oily elegance, along with touches of hot tar and a cooked agave quality, adding a slightly sour/sweet element; then come poached pear and pepper. The palate is rootier, but always with this deep, clinging texture. As it moves it sweetens briefly, then comes creosote. Water gives the sweetness more space before the big phenols come powering back. It's a barbecue in your mouth. Classic Laphroaig, in fact.£91