[#whiskyPhFocus] Laphroaig.

Here are three of my favorites. The Damp Campfire Barbecue of the Cask Strength Batch 11, the Christmas Ham Snuff Tobacco of the Lore, and the Juicy Pencil Shavings of the Cáirdeas Triple Wood.

This is @Laphroaig. The most richly flavored of all Scotch whiskies.

Established in 1815 by Donald and Alexander Johnston over 200 years ago, Laphroaig distillery was built on the southern coast of Islay.

Blending the pristine waters of Kilbride stream, the ocean-battered peat fields, and the alchemy of their copper stills, they made a powerful whisky, unafraid to give you a peaty punch in the face.

The distillery stayed in the Johnston family until 1954 when Bessie Williamson became the first woman to own and manage a Scotch distillery in the 20th century.

Laphroaig would then start its journey as a corporate-owned distillery. Today it is owned by Beam-Suntory, ensuring an endless supply of Maker's Mark ex-bourbon casks for maturation. But still it remains steeped in tradition using hand-cut peat, at least 10% manually floor-malted grains, and cold-smoking kilns.

So how does it taste? One of their ads says it tastes like a burning hospital. I can't say I disagree. It's peaty, fruity, floral and dry, but also so much more. It's got that characteristic salty-seaweed iodine taste that to my Filipino palate feels like an earthy betadine (povidone-iodine) and tinapa (smoked fish). That may sound like a strange combination, but when you love it, you'll love it!

This week, I also want to celebrate #Laphroaig's distillery manager @laphroaigjohn who will soon end his tenure. He's been distillery manager for the past 15 years, and has been involved in practically all the bottles that I've loved, including the 3 great whiskies in the photo. He made the whiskies that really got me into whisky. Without him, I don't think we would ever know of the Laphroaig Lore. Sláinte!

Image Courtesy of @WhiskyPH

@WhiskyPH

At its core, whisky appreciation is an exercise in memory. Notes of a whisky enthusiast in the Philippines. 🥃🇵🇭