Thompson Bros Williamson Blended Scotch Malt Whisky 2010 15 year old (342 bottles) 57.1% 70cl

Williamson is a cover name for Laphroaig in the independent bottling trade when 'teaspooned' with another whisky to create the blend. 15 years mature and finished for 2 years in unusual but perfectly suited Malaga wine casks, previously in a refill butt.

Malaga is a sweet fortified wine originating in the Spanish city of Málaga made from Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel grapes. Perfectly suited therefore to ageing whisky!

Nose: ‘Generic’ tarry Islay fishing ropes, but tarred with walnut oil, maple syrup, speculoos and sprinkled with black sesame seeds! Buckets of muscavado, crushed walnuts, arbroath smokies, sugared almonds, date & miso syrup – perhaps a touch of Maggi sauce!

Palate: Hash resin! Over stewed and cold breakfast tea, date and ginger puree, dark miso paste, a hint of (salty) dark soy sauce – The proper stuff! Quintessential Laphroaig notes combine beautifully with an excellent cask, giving balanced sweetness to the tarry heavy smoke.

Finish: Quite punchy, with argon oil, cloves, mace, crushed capers (briney). It lingers and becomes drier with time.