52,3°
Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay
2d Fill Madeira Casks and 1st Fill White Port Finish
Original Bottling
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2023
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Peated around 43 ppm
And here is the 16th edition of the Càirdeas, which is released each year since 2008. This one has followed a quite complex maturation, three quarters of the juice was put in 2d Fill Madeira Casks, and the fourth quarter was finished in White Port Casks. The first ageing of this last quarter must have been in Bourbon Casks, but I can't be sure unfortunately. No further details on the number of bottles produced or the length of this initial ageing period. I read somewhere that it was more or less 10 years old, but I'm not sure it's wise to believe that.
Let's Taste It :
Slightly astringent on the nose, despite some sweet notes. Candy sugar, iodised vanilla, toasted cereals, it's creamy, buttery, with ginger and a pinch of cinnamon. The distillery's typical profile is a little in the background, with metallic peat and a medicinal touch. The balance is good. Pleasant palate, sweet and fruity, white fruits with fresh cream, juicy pear, green tomatoes, but it's a bit monochrome, the peat is very discreet. Nice spiciness though. Long, explosive and beautiful finish, iodine and herbs, reeds, elderberry, somewhat swampy.
In Short,
An original and well-made Càirdeas, but it loses something of the typicality of the distillery's profile. It remains a curiosity and there are no flaws. The price is high, this is an edition reserved for members of the Friends of Laphroaig club, but above all for absolute fans..
Score : 88
To Be Listened While Sipping :
Alter Bridge - Blackbird
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