Obsession is part of a trio bottled over the coming years by the German shops Japanwhiskys and Whisky Tempel. The first expression is a young Laphroaig 2011.
It is hard to appreciate in pictures, but the translucent label features some intriguing artwork by the Canadian photographer Alex Maxim.
Laphroaig 6 yo 2011 (52,4%, Japanwhiskys & Whisky Tempel ‘Obsession’ 2018, bourbon cask, 168 btl.)
Laphroaig 6 yo 2011 (52,4%, Japanwhiskys & Whisky Tempel ‘Obsession’ 2018, bourbon cask, 168 btl.)Nose: young, with raw peat, some rubbery notes (new bike tyres), mezcal, olive brine and coal smoke. Burnt grassy notes. Hints of stewed pears in the background.
Mouth: medicinal notes (plenty of iodine and antiseptics) and rather fierce peat, with phenols all over. Then some salty sea spray and crushed peppercorns. Mezcal again – the youth is obvious but that’s not problematic. Sweet lemons and lots of ashes towards the end.
Finish: long, very clean and a tad alcoholic. More lemons and hints of salted butter.
This is a narrow, chiselled spirit with a moderate influence of wood or ageing in general. Very good, the only problem is its price, around € 150. Compare to this for example. Available from Whisky Tempel.
Score: 86/100