NV That Boutique-y Whisky Co. Lagavulin Batch 1 54.5%

Nose: a raw nose: young, fresh, but with most of the new-makey feel knocked out of it. The peat appears to be within itself, yet threatens so much more. Taste: oh, what a sensational delivery: the texture is silk with some spicy pins sticking out of it; the sugars are forthright, with a glorious mix of manuka honey and molasses, thickened to a paste of heavily smoked grist. Finish: long, with a slow infusion of vanilla into the smoke. The spices remain playful but significant. Balance: a very unusual chance to grab a Lagavulin with kindergarten characteristics: rare to find this malt with so little oak etched into it. A real last-thing-at-night, or after a meal of steak barely troubled by the heat… Beautifully made and a genuine treat of a dram. 101 bottles.