N: The trademark Laphraoig medicinal aromas have faded into the background, revealing more direct peat - which is also restrained. Waxy fruits, a hint of apple, a whiff of cured meat. A bit of vanilla and some sherry. Light notes of dry fruits and brown sugar. 

P: Full mouthfeel, nice and oily, some wood that shows age but isn't bitter or heavy. Smoke, cured meat, light brine. A bit of vanilla. A bit of fruitcake. A hint of pears. Some more apple.

F: Long lasting, full. The medicinal notes give some dimension; light smoke; oily and rich. Some pears.

Good, full flavor. The aggression of younger Laphroaigs is moderated by age, as waxy fruit notes dominate. Despite the age, it's still got youthful pears and apples. It's a nicely nuanced and balanced malt. 

Note:  I've have this 3 times, all during large raucus whisky tasting events.  Basic notes are from memory, but the score is a certaintly)

This is a solid but in no ways stunning malt.  Brine and charcoal dominated with a bit of grassiness peeking though.  To be honest it's nothing special, it's just a nice dram that isn't nearly worth its price.

But I'd never turn it away...

B/B+

N: Smokey and peaty with grapes, white pepper, waxy, earthy
P: waxy with burnt chocholate, rubber, grapefruit rind
F: burnt brown sugar, fudge, white pepper, smoked bacon that seriously lingers

Retaste 2018 B+

A good mix of bourbon barrel and sherry sweetness.  But the sherry stuff is more prominent.  Charred honey, warm butterscotch, and scorched red apple skin.  The sweetness levels out with nice islay notes of iodine, ash, tarmac and the smell of salt water.  I’m digging this.

Much of the same on the palate.  Good mix of sherry and peat with an oily mouth feel.  Lasting peat smoke finish.