Laphroaig An Cuan Mor

Translated as ‘big ocean’, Laphroaig An Cuan Mór has been matured in first-fill bourbon barrels and was then re-casked to European oak.

It is funny how Laphroaig says it is ‘aged in 18 year-old casks’. What is that supposed to mean? Are we counting the age of the wood now? It seems unclear whether the whisky has the same age as well. If that were the case, then why sell it as a NAS?

It is officially only available in travel retail and through Friends of Laphroaig, although that doesn’t mean you can’t find it in regular shops as well.

Laphroaig An Cuan Mór (48%, OB 2013, travel retail)

Nose: a very nice, fairly sweet and rounded nose (figs, honey, traces of vanilla) but also balanced by a thick, deep sooty side and dried seaweed. Leather. Hints of sweet almonds. Some peppery hints too.

Mouth: not really thick, but very medicinal. Plenty of iodine, germolene, band aids, bonfires and burnt sugar. Subtle matchsticks. Earthy notes and plenty of spices like ginger and pepper, more so than in other Laphroaig expressions. A faint sweet edge again (honeyed nuts). Liquorice.

Finish: long, lots of sweet peat, soot and louder oaky notes.

I really liked this An Cuan Mór. It has the deeply smoked and medicinal character of proper Laphroaig, but slightly rounded by the sweeter notes. Half a Distiller’s Edition, let’s say. Around € 90 (up to € 120 in some shops).

Score: 87/100