Nose -- oh, hello smoke... but not all smoke. Something lightly fruity as well. Great BBQ notes, complete with hickory. Palate has big smoke for sure, though not necessarily "big" by Laphroaig standards. Initially a bit one-dimensional, it opens up and brightens with fruity background stuff like apples and pears, and a light sweetness rounding things out. Hints of peaches. Finishes at length with just a tinge of chewy-ness (seems less than 19 years to me) and lingering, mild cigar smoke. Nicely balanced. It's definitely got the peat in the forefront but it doesn't get too overwhelming.

As a reference point, compared to Laphroaig Cask Strength, overall this one is lighter and not nearly as "heavy," lacking most of the strong medicinal stuff in the regular 10 CS. Sprightlier in character, though not as "wide." That makes perfect sense, right?!

Oh okay, I also have a 1993 12-year Signatory to compare to... well the 1990 is gentler (as expected) and seemingly sweeter, doing so without sacrificing character. Maybe it's not sweeter, maybe it's just that the younger one is more of a monster and blocks some subtler aspects. I dunno. Me likey Laphroaig. Me not likey obsessing over more tasting notes. More whisky please.

Overall a great Laphroaig.  

n: charred lemon, fresh asphalt, oily soot, and vinyl.

t: nice creamy mouthfeel, rich and buttery. The peat + smoke have been tamed and has left a really savoury and delicious whisky. Golden dried fruit, chewy malt, and vanilla oak in the delicious finish. Really nice!