Laphroaig Cairdeas

I am regularly delighted to be among the lucky ones who also find the Cairdeas bottlings exceptionally delicious. And I think this 2019 vintage is also superb.

Full-on Laphroaig power. If you like the 48% Triple Wood, you'll love this one. Intense, strong, and smoky.

Very coastal, with a strong sweet, smokey BBQ vibe. Awesome, love this one. Nose - a strong sense of cherry pepto bismol tablets rising up into sweet smoky BBQ, lots of smoky wood in here, overripe peach, a very funky leather that almost tips into barnyard, A nice hit of TCP, is there some aniseed in there? Taste - it's a big, sweet arrival with red fruits and some ripe peaches too, quickly rubbery, tar smoke, sweet red cherries throughout it develops a popcorn and vanilla note, then rubber kicks back in, black pepper on the turn Finish - peachy bourbon flavors, red cherries, super fruity, lots of soot and anise in the long finish

Good in itself. The nose can be difficult without water. It is a beautiful sherry variant of a laphi. Not outstanding, but a pleasure. Everyone has to know for themselves whether the price for a bottling without an age statement is suitable. Full review (in german): https://keinehalbendrinks.de/2020/02/21/laphroaig-2019-originalabfuellungen-in-fassstaerke/

You can drink this Càirdeas Triple Wood if you are looking for a bit more complexity than the Laphi 10yo cs # 011.

n: peat, smoke, rust, strawberries, wet bonfire, seaweed, white and black pepper, oak, intense & fresh, fruits t: intense & full, peat, sweet a: peat, sweet, earthy, nuts, fruit, marzipan, rewarding

S 7 Salty sherry, similar to Ardbeg Ugeadail but better. Better balance between saltiness & wood & sherry. [86-89] YES!!! One to be tasted and remembered for years. I'm willing to pay a 20% premium on top of RRP. N 29 Woody. Red grape. Moderately smoked herbs. Sherry just enough to be noticed. Addictive iodine. Sea breeze ( salted dry seaweed). Refreshing menthol. Old furniture. P 27 Salty, sweet & spicy bomb. Mouthwarming burnt wood. Peppery spices. Dark fruit. Moderately peated. F 26 Long finish supported by delicate smoke. Fruitiness and cigar ashes lingering

A triple-aged festival release, the spirits were first matured in bourbon casks, then in signature quarters and finally in European oak casks that previously held Oloroso sherry. The whisky is barrier filtered only, has a batch strength, and is likely tinted. Nose: the aroma is pleasant, slightly caustic, caramel-fruity, smoked. You can feel caramel, raisins, dried apricots, milk chocolate with nuts, menthol freshness, dried orange peel, hazelnuts, almonds, cinnamon, cloves, sulfur, barnyard nuances, bacon, smoked fish, marine theme (salt, seaweed, iodine), coal, varnished wood Palate: Explosive, fruity, chocolate-dried fruit, peppery. Dried fruit sweetness, citrus tartness, sweet baking spices, chocolate, smoked meats, bacon, fish, minerality, spicy oak. Finish: the aftertaste is sweet with dried fruits, pepper, raisin cake, spicy, sulphurous, tannins Balance: A spirited, vibrant, rich sherry smoky cask strength whisky. Gives us an idea of what Laphroaig cask strength spirits might be like in a sherry setting. A cask version of a release that has been withdrawn from the regular line-up. N23,P22,F22,B21

Balance (22) Obviously less than 10 years old but energetic, oily and in style (87)

My first impression after the first tasting during Feis Ile has now even improved a little. The nose is really great and in the mouth it delivers what you expect. The barrel strength ensures a nice aroma load in the mouth.

Really massive dram. Nice smoky and very spicy. The smoke changes from nose to finish. He is medical at first, then a campfire. Hidden behind the smoke are wonderful fruity notes of dried fruit. Herbal notes can also be tasted later in the finish.

Smell: peat lemon ash sweet (jam-like) wood bacon herb (more and more salty and sweet, perfect jam smoke flavor: oily perfect body wrapped in smoke slowly flowing out is sweet jam wood caramel bacon tail: wood syrup smoky sweet dance on my g-spot powerful full body flavorful drink too strong

Dare I say — which may be sacrilege to many — but this offering by Laphroaig has an uncanny resemblance to the Benromach Cask Strength, albeit with the smokiness toned up a notch. The thought literally just crossed my mind, but those who are familiar with both will likely know what I'm going on about! It's quite the revelation actually, but unsurprising too at the very same time. Anyway, this is a cracking Laphroaig. Slainte!

Probably the best Cairdeas I've tried. Water does wonders for the nose, makes the body more approachable and kind of ruins the finish. Hard to find the ballance to get the most out of every stage.

at nose, strong and oily peat, pine sap and maple syrup (paradoxically very sweet !!), a little vanilla, lemon and cooked black fruits a little camphor, a little licorice gum intense return wood, as on soaked wood shavings spicy, but not too spicy the mouth goes directly on the peat, on meat smoke, on sugar again, on dry herbs (the dust side in fact!), the camphor comes back strong, very strong even, the hospital corridor just washed comes out , a little seaweed, wet earth, then macerated and overcooked fruits a little caramelized, cooked lemon the wood remains very present, even managing to pass in front of the peat!, then bitterness arrives with well peppery spices. the finish, on the other hand, is long, complex, on soaked woods, on dry and wet herbs, on wet leather, candied fruit and peat well present, then finer and liquorice. very pleasant.

Tasted 03-07-2020

Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood 2019 59.5%. Consumed July 2019 - Aroma is quite oaky papery, almost grain whisky notes, fairly muted subtle fruit notes. A bit disappointing on the nose. Opens up a little with water but still a little basic. Taste is iodine huge smoke salt and wood. Pungent and potent with a vanilla sweetness pulling through. Dense and concentrated to the point of being oily and hard to dissect and detect all the complex flavours from, sort of like Octomore. Perfectly drinkable as it is but probably benefits from a touch of water. Typical Laphroaig notes and smoked fish come out more with water also some interesting fennel and mint. Very attractive to flies for some reason. Enjoyable 3.5/84 Re-rate Jan 2020 - Aroma is woody, fruity, quite dense, slightly closed. Taste is similar - quite dense, soft raspberry and cranberry notes pull through along with the smoke. It really grew on me. Strange how I got such a different impression - perhaps my tastes have changed in only a few months! 3.8/90

Unmistakably a Laphroaig and that although spicy wood elements alternate every second with sweetness, fruit, mentholic freshness and smoky peat and end up again and again in this typical for Laphroaig salty and phenolic aroma composition with peat and smoke. A varied malt with its own character and in addition extremely tasty. I like it very much! An addition of water, I do not feel necessary or useful. 22/22/22/23 (89P)

Triple maturation, first matured in ex-bourbon barrels, then in quarter casks and finally in European oak casks which previously held oloroso sherry.

It has a relatively oily viscosity and its bouquet is of high intensity. I have aromas of dry peat smoke, vanilla, maritime notes, malty sweetness, honey, light nuts and dried fruits. Mediocre complex. A good balance between sweetness and dryness in terms of taste. He has clearly noticeable alcohol and a relatively heavy body.

In one of my prouder tasting moments I was given this as a blind mystery sample and actually managed to identify exactly what it was. It definitely helped that I had sampled this Cairdeas release a few weeks prior. Unlike the 2018 release, I think this one more clearly embodies some of the classic iodine and salty maritime notes of Laphroaig. This was a wonderful mix of brine and fruit with enough complex meaty notes to keep my interest. I do wish there was a bit more thickness and viscosity to the overall body, sometimes it can feel a bit thin. Overall, this was an upgrade on the 2018 release. Mental Image: A Salmon’s Quinceanera

laphroaig quater cask plus+ more berries, more spices

Tried a sample given by a friend from a bottle that's been open around 3 years. Has the look of a sherry finish and smell of a young Laphroaig, enticing combination.

A càirdeas that wins with the addition of water. I have not yet dared to implement the official recommendation (we recommend that you add twice as much water then whisky), because I really like whisky and no flavored water in a glass. But I can recommend adding 2ml of water to a 2cl-Dram, it makes it clear and is less pointed and aggressive than undiluted. My rating is valid for the undiluted pleasure, with the above amount of water it would be 2 points more.

Nose: In the nose a trinity of peat smoke, wood and fruit notes. Immediately after pouring out, smoke and wood are dominant, but after a few minutes and a swivel in the glass, the whisky balances. Real liquorice (not the sweet one), licorice, rotten, slightly damp wood. The smoke has light notes of bacon, a clearly medicinal touch, is slightly ashy and dry. Approaches of sea breezes. The fruit is dark, raisins, plums with almond slivers. Dates and blackberries. Some walnut. Oranges and nectarines are added with a little water. Mouth: Peppery beginning, licorice and licorice, ash, crushed berries, lots of wood, slightly bitter. With water, the wood gets through a bit more vigorously, but also yellow-fleshed fruits. Finish: Medium length, quite woody. Ashy, vanilla and slightly salty. The smoke and the wood were able to cover the youthfulness well, but in the finish a youthful metallic note can be discovered. 88/100 Conclusion: I like a beautiful laphi very well and can cover his youth well. Very wood-accentuated, but has a lot of charm when bottling because the sherry barrel gives sweet notes as an antithesis to the malt.

This is a different whisky from the standard Triple Wood. I was going to say how disappointing it is that this year’s Cairdeas is just a cask-strength version of a standard release, but this is functionally a different dram, at least in my experience. This one’s much sweeter, less meaty, and probably a little less peaty overall. I'm not sure I like it more than the standard TW, but it's still great. Nose: Autumnal and and fruity. A real pumpkin spice latte of a whisky. Spicy Italian sausage is the most prominent meat note here for me. There’s some beef broth in here too. Some Laphroaig medicinal flavours and some seaweed as well, with some sweet birch bark smoke. Lots of honey sweetness up front, more than I remember getting in the standard TW. Bright candied red fruit. Vanilla, baking spices, maple syrup, roast apples, dried apricots, bananas, raisins, nuts, cocoa powder, and mint. My friend Scotty’s tasting note of “black-pepper-spiked chocolate milkshake” for the OG Triple Wood still holds true for the cask strength version. Some rice vinegar tang and some earthy tobacco. What a layered nose. Palate: Oily texture. Loads more of those dried leaves and baking spices. Sauteed mushrooms are all over the place. Heavy tobacco, medicinal peat smoke, seaweed, and some fragrant leather in the middle. More of that oily birch bark smoke. Burnt salted caramel. Rich dark chocolate and plums. Maraschino cherries and peaches in syrup. More of that beef broth richness. Finish: Long and syrupy. Medicinal notes and iodine, sweetened with brown sugar and orange marmalade. More of that Italian sausage. Some tart white grapes and rice vinegar. A hint of oak and star anise. Lingering maple syrup.

I need to say, that after I have tried this whisky, it immediately became one of my all-time favorites! Incredibly full flavor, a mix of sherry sweetness, wood, and smoke works together really well! I absolutely love it! Will need to get a replacement bottle because I can imagine this one will not stay long!:)

Smoke, sweetness, licorice, incense vibes as well. Pleasant dram for sure.

Laphroaig can be recognized. But unfortunately a lot of bitter oak. They already know why they dilute the standard. The CS of this year (batch 11) is much better.

- a delicious Laphroaig, but not the best CAIRDEAS - quite pure to drink (but a matter of taste) - definitely better than the normal Triple Wood (which literally fades against the CAIRDEAS)

Nose: Sweetly fruity, smoke, touch grainy, copper and herbal. Palate: Fruity, charred and smoky, Banana’s Foster and some malt. Finish: Long -> Dried strawberries, leather and char.

Laphroaig on steroids. Great drink. A perfect Laphroaig. Wow. Aroma: Medicinal smoke, vanilla, dried apples, dried cherries and cranberries. The taste is full, strong, distinct and oily. It fades after the wood of vanilla and licorice and anise.

rough yet tasty Laphroaig.

The best Cairdeas that I have tasted (2014 onwards). Does not need water.

A young, strong and very good malt at a fair price! The sherry influences are good for him!

Wonderful whisky that unfolds its full potential with a little water A taste that stays with you until the next day, simply excellent

This bottle didn’t really resonate with me. Felt like a clash of modern Laphroaig peat against heavy vanilla wood influence. I definitely can see where this profile would appeal to a lot of people but I prefer a cleaner peated Islay bottling with less sweet wood influence.

Tasting: 05.2023 With a little water, the whisky becomes milder and rounder. I personally like it undiluted but much better!

I can smell the burning in Australia in this bottle. So much burnt up organic matter. With water is at least 83. Points fed to taste. Without is at 81. Perhaps I will re-rate this after weeks of oxidation.

N: medicinal smoke, peat, ash, vanilla, oak, sherry P: ash, peat, vanilla, sweetish, pepper F: medium, ash

Easily my favourite Laphroaig in a long time. Probably the best one I’ve had since the 2015 Cairdeas, which was a phenomenal peater. This one throws a bit of a curve ball into the mix by adding some sherry, but it’s only lingering in the background. The nose is brash peat and antiseptic, with an underlying sweetness. The palette is difficult undiluted and with water things get much more open. Loud medicinal action. Love it. After some less than fantastic runs with Laphroaigs in recent years for me (10yo, standard Triple Wood, annual Cairdeas releases), this is Laphroaig back in winning form.

08/08/2021: Withstands the level of the festival release, solid, delicate in aroma, with a rich taste, the degree does not protrude.

Almost 60% express themselves less blatantly than expected in advance. In fact, I wouldn't recommend adding water either, it just loses flavor. The three cask types try their best to conceal the young age of the malt. For the full review, go here: https://halbendrinks.de/2022/05/22/cairdeas/

Too young, too brash, too mono-dimensional. Very green and sour on the palate, with the overt oak spice adding a lot of herbals and an overall pressure-cooked feel.

81-85 – Wow, really good one

Laphroaig Cairdeas again, lets do it: (Thanks to CaptainIslay for the sample) I like the nose very much, a little water then to the malt, shaken and tasted: Here is the disappointment, unlike the classic Laphis usual accustomed to a musty, rather bitter note prominently, which I interpret as a clear false note - for me, the enjoyment ends here. Too bad, I do not enjoy the bottling, because I would be better served with a Quarter Cask. If I want a good Laphi (and not looking for treats in the back of the chamber) I would simply take one of the annual Cask Strenghts, which I think have kept a high level so far. Will be back from my sample soon but at the moment he will not lure me on the delicious Laphi Homepage ...

with water: Oh yes, he tolerates it very well, it opens, everything becomes even more harmonious and creamy Conclusion: Yes, Laphroaigh has finally knocked out one again! The last couple of years, I did not like the Cairdeas bottlings any more, but this one has everything I expect from a FOL bottling.

Pleasant, grotesque Cairdeas, but surprisingly almost thin at ~ 60%.

The nose is very similar to diluted Triple Wood, with a drizzle of sherry between the tar and ash, but more woody. It gives a bit of a vegetal side. The medicinal touch is there of course. A trickle of smoke. On the palate, it's tasty, very red fruits and candy sugar, but quite peaty, and with additional spices. Currants, blackberries and rhubarb. Light vanilla in the background. Very explosive finish. Leaves an aftertaste of charcoal and raspberry. Wet wood. It's very good, but I don't see what more it brings compared to diluted Triple Wood. https://ilikesky2020.blogspot.com/2020/09/laphroaig-cairdeas-2019-triple-wood.html

A very good first impression that doesn’t quite last. And an incredible nose that manages to save the whisky.

Very nice edition. Really enjoyed it. Too bad the price is hiked because of the "limited edition". They should add it to the core range :)

Smell . This is an interesting and complex one. Dried mixed fruit peel, Christmas cake, Rasins, Caramel, smokey peat. Musty wood in there too Taste Full on flavour explosion. Like a punch in the face, there is the peat, smouldering campfire and ash. Oily, woody, leather, peppercorns, spice, rosemary. Loads of spice here. Then comes the sweetness, toffee, creamy. I'm also getting some eucalyptus/menthol too. After The warmth and creamy toffee hangs about for a long time as does the smokey peat, ending with some dark slightly bitter honey and some wood notes. This is good. Very complex and interesting. So many different notes and flavours to explore too. Can't wait to see how the bottle develops over time too. I really like this, it gets a 91 from me.

A nice upgrade to the normal Triple Wood.

Very decent dram, with lots of sweetness, smoke, fruit. Alcohol not noticeable, pleasant

German Youtube Review: https://youtu.be/vlWuvv5Za1w

Pure straightforward Laphi. Straight - "the most richly flavored of all Scotch whiskys" Who wants to know what that means, should take a dram ... or more.

In the nose a mixture of smoke, wood and fruits (dark to yellow fruits and citrus notes). That fits and is fun. Then noticeably tart in the mouth. Here the smoke and the wood clearly have the upper hand. Fruit is only hinted at here. Overall a delicious malt. However, I prefer the 10yo CS. Perhaps even the càirdeas has the nose in front due to the fruits. Overall, I like the CS better because it's more consistent in its way.