Lagavulin 26 yo 1994 ‘The Lion’s Jewel’ (44,2%, OB Special Releases 2021, first fill Pedro Ximénez + Oloroso seasoned casks, 7542 btl.)
Nose: plenty of sweet smoke, mixed with tarry ropes, dried meat, leather seats, rubber boots and hints of wet canvas. Boat varnish, cloves, red berries and juicy plums. Hints of linseed oil, camphor and bandages. Lots of tiny notes, this keeps getting better in the glass. Really great, even with the slightly sharp woody edge and the vinous top notes.
Mouth: starts with salty notes alongside sour berries, with some acrid scorched wood in the background, mint, brine and pipe tobacco. A good flavour profile again, but I expected more depth and more velvety sweetness from the PX. Perhaps the low ABV makes it thinner too. Herbal tea, cold ashes, leathery notes.