Review by: The Auditor
This sample was provided to me by a producer, distributor, or some other industry source free-of-charge. No compensation, outside of the sample, was received and there were no strings attached. You can read our full statement of Ethics & Transparency at this link.
This bottle comes to us from Laphroaig, that famous distillery located on Islay in Scotland. This single barrel was selected by t8ke of Whiskeyraiders, r/bourbon, and the various other projects. This cask of peated single malt was put into a Virgin Oak cask and aged for 8 years before being bottled at cask strength with no additives and was non chill filtered.
Distillery: Domaine d’Esperance
Bottler: Domaine d’Esperance
Region: Bas-Armagnac
ABV: 52%. Cask strength.
Age: 21 years. Distilled in 2001. Bottled in 2022.
Cask type: Gascon Oak Cask
Price: N/A
Color: Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.
Nose: Apple, Cinnamon, Black Tea, Raspberry, licorice
Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Apple, Raspberry, Black Tea, Cinnamon, Figs, orange peel
Finish: Longer finish, Cinnamon, Apple Pie, raspberry, black tea, licorice
Conclusion:
This is excellent. Well balanced between fruit and spice, thick mouthfeel, long finish. The flavors are well integrated and interact with each other well.
Final Score: 91
Scoring Legend:
- 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
- 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
- 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
- 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
- 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
- 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
- 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
- 50-59: Save it for mixing.
- 0-49: Blech.
Malt Runners 