Laphroaig 1979 / 1997 Clydesdale #5963 53%

Several IBs have had 1979s and they’ve always been superb, so high expectations here. Expectations met, very similar to the Glenscoma – which I realize is still sitting in draft. Glowing, not raging, peat fire, warm and welcoming. Soft smoke, salt air, just the barest hint of iodine amidst a beach worth of pristine sun baked sand. The peat is clean and rooty but also complex with sub tones of phenolics, none of the smoke and ash overload that plagues today’s peated malts. And above it all is the a hazy red and orange fruitiness, buffeted by salt and gently medicated by a sweet liniment of preserved clove flesh, spearmint and lemon oil. The curious effect of all this is that it reminds me of the aftertaste of the nostalgic golden candy we know as Ling Mong tablets. 92 pts £6.50 from Royal Mile ‘back in the day’.