Laphroaig 17yo Bourbon and Madeira matured, Straight from the Cask

It is always good to have a Laphroaig. It is even better when it comes straight from the cask at the distillery premises. This is the case of my last single malt of the Laphroaig tour, a 17yo that was initially matured 8 years in ex bourbon casks and later finished for 9 years in Madeira barrels. Poured at 54.4%abv On the nose, it is all about thick syrupy red fruits. Floral, milk chocolate and Cigarrette ashes. Hazelnut. Very good stuff. On the palate, it is sweet, chocolaty and a little peaty. Milk chocolate mix with almonds. Toblerone chocolate bar. Metallic/copperish and toffee. Aftertaste explodes after a muted start. If you wait three seconds it gives you a sonic boom of chocolate and chilli. It has a nice bite, chocolate and hazelnut with the classic Laphroaig "fresh can of tennis balls" peat. Overall, this was an spectacular dram, quite sweet for a Laphroaig. The medicinal peatiness mixed well with the chocolate and almond notes, for a lovely experience. I really look forward for more madeira matured single malts from this epic distillery. My score for it is 95 over 100.