Laphroaig Càirdeas 200th Anniversary Edition

I've recently been exploring the peated Islay scotch category and just opened this bottle. It holds up well against the delightful Ardbeg 10 (sharing many similarities) and Kilchoman Machir Bay (which is a touch sweeter and fruitier). I'm surprised how much a bit of extra aging has softened this Laphroaig. Based on a distillery video featuring a brand ambassador, this scotch was aged for approximately 11 years and 9 months, making it very close to Laphroaig 12. The extended aging balances some of the harsher notes found in Laphroaig 10, transforming it from a rebellious youth to a confident maturity. It possesses a masculine and substantial character, but with the rough edges of its early years smoothed into the assurance of its prime. For me, 12-15 years is the ideal range for Laphroaig. Another interesting characteristic of this scotch is that it's crafted solely from the distillery's own floor malted barley and matured in the warehouse nearest the sea, offering a very pure representation of the distillery's essence. At over 50% ABV, this scotch hits the perfect balance, delivering robust, full flavors across the palate without any unpleasant ethanol sensations, even in its warming finish. The aroma is classic Laphroaig: peat, hints of oats or dried cereal grain, a gentle, light smoke, and a touch of sea air. The taste offers more sweetness, notably a lemon quality, that complements the smoke, which develops a cigarillo-like character. The finish is smoky, salty, and that oat or cereal note reappears. It's simply a wonderful scotch.

Last night in NYC at American Whiskey, I sampled this. It was a 2oz pour with a large ice cube. It's curious that I spent about $70 for a bottle, but the 2oz serving at American Whiskey cost $26. Regardless, this is an excellent whisky. The nose is powerfully oceanic, leading to a sweet, salty flavor reminiscent of stone fruits with a saline and smoky finish. It diverges from other Laphroaigs by being more subdued and refined, though not weaker. It's comparable to the difference between Pierce Brosnan's and Daniel Craig's James Bond: refined versus gritty, yet both are formidable. I'm pleased to own a bottle, particularly considering its $70 price point. Update 1/20/2017: YES! It's Friday night, perfect for a weekend whisky escape! I'm enjoying this sample, generously given by ModernDrinking (thanks!). I tasted this once before in NYC at American Whiskey and adored it then, and I appreciate it even more now. What's absent from the 2015 Cairdeas is the in-your-face peat, which I find to be a positive. Successfully handling peat, salinity, brine, and sweetness is a significant accomplishment. One must admire and respect that masterful equilibrium. This is still procurable in some locations... absolutely worth the $70-80 splurge for a bottle. Once more—huge thanks to ModernDrinking for the sample!!

An outstanding addition to the Cairdeas line, especially standing out among a series of secondary casked editions. This perfectly captures the essence of Laphroaig without anything extraneous: rich notes of green apples, vanilla, seaweed, fish oil, brine, and stone fruits on the nose transition distinctly to a palate of bacon, sardines, lemongrass, tar, cilantro, pear, and marmalade. The finish, still remarkable, presents its own unique combination of apricots, campfire, kelp, and a hint of coffee. It's full-bodied with a finish that lasts for days - savory and smoky with a lingering, mouth-coating saltiness that makes you feel as if you're breathing the sea air directly on the shores of Islay. The only elements absent are the nutty and oily characteristics found in many Laphroaigs. Furthermore, the finish isn't merely smooth; it delivers all the desirable burn from the peat and none of the undesirable.

I finally had the chance to try this... it's a nice whisky overall. My taste buds are getting a lot of salt/brine. I concur with the producer's assessment that the brine is the most prominent characteristic. The smoke/peat wasn't that intense for me, almost overshadowed by the brine, but it still came through. The smoky, peaty notes are present, and I detected a slight medicinal/band-aid flavor. It's just not as overpowering as their ten-year-old or Quarter Cask expressions. I also perceived subtle oak and just a touch of vanilla. I thought I detected a bit of citrus at one moment, but I'm uncertain. I note the producer rates it at 94 and the average score is 4.3 (currently). I will be in the minority regarding this one. I cannot rate it higher than 85, or three stars. It's a decent spirit, and I would repurchase it, however, it's not an exceptional one.

Yes, yes, yes! Straight up! To me, the aroma leads with pork belly, followed by peat smoke, woody oak, and leather. The citrus note is thankfully in the background, with candied apples! Let's dive into the taste... It's pleasant and mellow; no water is necessary (though this is my third taste, don't tell anyone!). It has a fantastic bonfire taste with that familiar Laphroaig saltiness. Deep, dark apple with a hint of pastry on the finish. The aftertaste lingers pleasantly with cinders, pastry, spice, and more pork belly... This is akin to a potent Lagavulin 16, but at full proof... Amazing... This needs to come out again... RIGHT NOW!

From a Drammers Club online pour. This is good. It fits between the 18+ year tropical fruits (which are more expensive) and the standard 10 year (where smoke dominates). It's a good middle ground. Smell: Vanilla, smoke, peat, tar, iodine, seaweed, peach, pineapple, dark chocolate, salt, pepper, raisins, toffee, berries, bacon, citrus, honey, flowers. Taste: Smoke, cherry, peat, tar, caramel, vanilla, peach, apricot. Aftertaste: Pepper, cherry, smoke, vanilla, peach, apricot.