Islay Blended Malt 11 Year Old 2010 ‘Bessie’ The Whisky Jury

An Islay Blended Malt that goes by the name Bessie? That must be a teaspooned Laffie, right? Clearly named after Elizabeth Williamson, who once ran the Laphroaig distillery. From 1954 to 1972 she even owned the distillery. Two years ago, The Whisky Jury already bottled a Williamson 2010, but that was matured on a bourbon barrel. This is a sherry cask, so I'm expecting something more sweet. Although it starts softly on the nose on fried banana and espresso, this young malt evolves very quickly into ashes, graphite, goat stable and Ganda ham, including the rind. Plasticine and garden herbs appear. Capers! Olive oil! I absolutely love it. Powerful and herbal start on rosemary and camphor, capers, and black pepper before the sweetness of the sherry cask is invited to show itselve. Think honey, caramel, baked apples and a mashed banana with graeffe sugar. A drop of brackish water and quite a few ashes puts you back with your feet on the ground... in Islay. Fantastic. The long, smoky and slightly sweet aftertaste is the icing on the proverbial cake. Will the Whisky Jury ever bottle something that is not to my liking? I highly doubt it.