プチSBT from naoskprsさん

A blind sample from my malt friend naoskprs-san arrived. I was grateful and took on the challenge. (Contents below are based on blind tasting) ・プチSBT from naoskprsさん The aroma features concentrated fresh citrus, powdered cheese, matcha, a fresh plant-like sensation, ham melon, refreshing white flowers, and a strong peat and smoke with sharp alcohol notes, along with youthful barley characteristics. Upon drinking, it delivers a gradual stimulation, a powdery and concentrated texture, strong peat with fresh citrus, slightly young barley and plant notes, syrup sweetness with citrus acidity, briny and fruity but with a dominant charcoal-like peat in the finish. 【Good/Very Good】 While there's a slight greenness, the concentrated citrusy fruitiness with powdery texture is highly favorable. The fruity and peaty profile immediately makes me think of Laphroaig. If that's the case, the fruitiness resembles the concentrated style of 1993. However, I sensed a stronger youthfulness in the barley and plant notes, with residual alcohol, suggesting short aging. I estimate around 10 years maturation in refill bourbon casks. It could be a distillation from the early 1990s bottled in the early 2000s, or a distillation from around 2000 bottled recently as a special fruity expression. The latter seems more likely, given the atmosphere suggesting not much time has passed since bottling. Additionally, I considered Springbank as recent concentrated citrusy briny and peaty expressions are occasionally seen there. ・Prediction: 1. Laphroaig 2. None 3. Springbank I also considered Cally based on the fruit and peat notes. I sent my tasting notes and predictions via email. The correct answer was... LAPHROAIG 1993-2005 12yo The Single Malts of Scotland #2431 55.2% Refill Bourbon Cask It was indeed Laphroaig from the Specialty Drinks (TWE) Single Malts of Scotland range, distilled in 1993 and aged for 12 years. It was indeed fruity as expected from a 1993 vintage, but it felt slightly under-wooded. However, despite seeming short-aged, the bottling had actually aged for 9 years. Perhaps short-aged high proof Islay whiskies don't show much bottle aging? Anyway, it was reassuring not to have missed my favorite Laphroaig. The cask specs also matched my prediction. Recently, I've been missing many blind tastings in mini SBTs, so this time was a relief.