Thompson Brothers have released a couple of new releases, including a Clynelish in disguise, old Tormore, undisclosed Speyside malt and this Islay Single Malt 1993, bottled at 27 years of age.
Islay Single Malt 27 yo 1993 (49,9%, Thompson Bros 2020, 2 refill barrels, 536 btl.)
Nose: seaweed and mild iodine, with hints of bandages and rusty nails. There’s a sweet fruitiness underneath, mostly lemon juice and grapefruits, maybe melons and a hint of vanilla too. Then back to wet cement and dried herbs, with smouldering ashes in the background.
Mouth: sweet onset, with honeyed fruits like peaches, guava and creamy lemons. Some dried maritime notes, iodine, mint and herbal smoke. Chalky touches. Beach pebbles and subtly smoked tea.
Finish: long and slightly sharper again. Earthy, with some oak char, herbs and zesty notes.
This may well be an old Laphroaig and although I’ve had more exuberantly fruity and more complex examples, this is still pretty great. Refined and powerful at the same time. Hard to get, as always.