Laphroaig Càirdeas 2024 Cask Favourites 10 yo

 

 

 

52,4°

Distillery : Laphroaig - Islay

1st Fill, 2d Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrels and Quarter Casks, Pedro Ximénez Sherry Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 43 ppm

Every year since 2008, a Càirdeas has been offered at the end of the Feis Ile, but this year it's something special. It's the 30th anniversary of the Friends of Laphroaig association, so this one is 10 years old, which is already great. What's more, they've combined the two most acclaimed Càirdeas of the past, the 2019 Triple Wood and the 2021 PX Casks Cask Strength. The result is this Cask Favourites, which is apparently not Cask Strength but slightly reduced. In fact, there doesn't seem to be an Oloroso Casks finish like in the Triple Wood, so it's more like the PX Casks Cask Strength, but less powerful, and 10 years old. No indication of how many bottles are available.

Let's Taste It : 

Smoke in fine ashes, with everything that makes Laphroaig, a medicinal touch enhanced by Pedro Ximénez Sherry, chewy charcoal, garnet and muscatel grapes, a drizzle of melting chocolate, gooseberry and raspberry juice, but just a few drops. A touch of honey. Full ashtray. The balance is just perfect. On the palate, it's silk, but soaked in spongy peat and motor oil. Liquorice stick, candied quinces. Lignite behind, and the spices, especially pepper, appear after a long time. Long, virulent finish, rough coal, ash pate. Red fruits and gas oil, chalky earth, full of gypsum. Burnt wood, cola.

 

In Short, 

It's magnificent from start to finish. The best Càirdeas in my opinion, and in fact the best rated on Whiskybase at the moment. Everything is wonderfully balanced, very fruity, with the typical peatiness still quite present. It has to be said that the Càirdeas 2021 PX Casks Cask Strength was already my favourite, and this one has a very similar profile, but is older and therefore even more subtle. So it's only natural that I like this one even more. The price doesn't seem so high, and I wonder whether I won't buy a second bottle before it runs out.

Score : 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Hana Piranha - The Devil Always Pulls Through