Laphroaig, Single Malt The Ian Hunter Story Book 5: Enduring Spirit 34YO, Islay

The fifth and final release in the Ian Hunter series, built around the last member of the Johnston family to own and run Laphroaig. Hunter brought American oak ex-bourbon barrels into the distillery's maturation after travelling in the United States, and laid down the malting floors still in use today. This one was double matured, in first-fill ex-bourbon American oak barrels and Pedro Ximénez European oak hogsheads.

Laphroaig's tasting notes: lightly peaty, with iodine and burnt wood, floral green malt, candyfloss and vanilla fudge, and subtle blueberry and raspberry; sweet and spicy on the palate — classic peat and cold barbecue ash, salted caramel, butterscotch, roast chestnut and white pepper; peaty and malty on the finish, with a lingering sweetness.