Laphroaig Càirdeas 2014 Amontillado Cask Edition

Continuing with the Cairdeas reviews, we have the 2014 edition that was finished in Amontillado sherry casks. This was part of our hotel room tasting session in DC for Whiskyfest back in April, with a sample provided by a friend. It's bottled at 51.4% ABV and is non chill filtered with a natural orange amber color. A distillery manager walked with a whisky representative from another country, listening closely as he spoke about superior malting methods, the purest water source, and golden barley. He accompanied him as the foreigner boasted of international awards and accolades from San Francisco to Bangalore. But when they arrived at a challenging point and the man from the foreign distillery claimed they had the richest, peatiest whisky in the world, the manager smirked, glanced at his team, and defiantly yelled in his thick Islay accent..."THIS IS LAPHROIG!!", before dismissing the man and his weak whisky. Indeed, this is an exceptional Laphroaig. The aroma is like new shoes dipped in orange sherbet liqueur, then ignited by a flaming arrow shot during the 1992 Olympic Games opening ceremony. Strong rubber and bandage notes are present. Dark, rich, and sweet sherry, but distinct from other sherried whiskies. Honeyed dates, figs, and tennis balls. Varnish-soaked wood and iodine. Raspberry chocolate, salted caramels, vanilla, toffee. Very earthy peat with a hint of mint. Fruity Pebbles cereal and Juicy Fruit gum. The taste is big billowing smoke with sweet BBQ meats, grilled plums, and nectarines. Vanilla, brown sugar, and charred oranges. Burnt wood, ashes, and soot. Bandages, iodine, and rubber. Some peppery spice, a little anise, and some tannins. A medium-bodied texture that is creamy and mouthwatering. The finish is medium-long to long, fruity, smoky, rubbery with a trace of mint fading away. This is very much the best of the last 5 years of the Cairdeas releases. And likely my second favorite Laphroaig behind Lore. Such intense flavors, and the sherry served as a supporting element to the Laphroaig distillery profile, rather than taking over with an overpowering solo. I didn't hold this dram in such high regard while in DC, but tasting it at home in a controlled setting allows me to appreciate its brilliance. Glad I purchased a bottle before they sold out. 4.5-4.75 Cheers

Tasted a sample of this alongside the amazing Port Wood from 2013. This scotch has a pale, sunflower hue. On the nose, the Amontillado offers a stark contrast to the dark, intense, and powerful Port Wood. This dram is subtle and almost reserved in its presentation, featuring some of the least smoke I've encountered in a Laphroaig. Instead, floral scents dominate the nose, including some perfumed and musky notes, followed by a hint of coastal gravel or damp sand. It reminds me in some ways of a Highland single malt combined with a Laphroaig, perhaps like something from a particular blended Scotch brand. On the palate, this scotch delivers a captivating blend of vanilla and pear, again evoking thoughts of high-quality Highland single malts. The Amontillado's influence seems to manifest as orchard fruits in some sips, and then as a distinct caramel in others. To be clear, the palate still contains a respectable amount of smoke and peat, but far less than most Laphraigs. This Cairdeas Amontillado provides a surprisingly savory and smoky finish in relation to its taste and aroma. The smoke really emerges on the finish and delivers a punch, leading to a classic, complex, and long Laphroaig finish with notes of roasted nuts and cocoa. Compared to other Cairdeas expressions and Laphraigs generally, the Amontillado is much easier to drink and more subdued. It's not worth the $130-200 price tag I see it fetching now in Miami, but it's worth seeking out a glass.

Remarkable! Truly fascinating. I don't believe I've encountered an Amontillado before. I'm calling this one the shape-shifter. Each time I explore it, a completely new idea comes to mind. Initially, it reminded me of hazelnut liqueur, then drambuie-like orange, followed by nutmeg, and then fennel. Incredible the shifts and changes with this one. I learned that Amontillado is a type of sherry, positioned between the pale, dry fino and the respected oloroso. This is an 8-year-old Laphroaig aged in bourbon barrels before spending an additional year in amontillado hogsheads, apparently. I also noted cedar wood notes, menthol, peppermint, spearmint, and so on. Each time a flavor emerges, it sparks thoughts of more. Now, the major issue is that I genuinely dislike all of those flavors and, in fact, detest them all. This whiskey is, therefore, essentially a tribute to all the flavor profiles I dislike. Strangely, though, I don't dislike the whiskey itself. Let me be clear, I could not and would not consume more of this, but I must appreciate the quality and balance of this drink, and I can see how fans of these flavors might rate it so highly. Thanks again to a friend for such an intriguing tasting adventure!

I just elevated my rating from a 4 to a 5. It would likely fall somewhere in between if I had the option. This is typical of the Cairdeas range. I own bottles from the 14, 15, 17 (plus QC, 10, 15, 18 years). I wasn't into scotch when the 13 portwood was released, but I regret not trying it. This possesses a higher alcohol content than standard Laphroaig. It also doesn't hit as intensely (despite the higher ABV). Similar to the Distiller's Edition of Laga and Talisker, the sherry softens the smoke and peat somewhat. While I enjoy a strong impact, I also REALLY appreciate this. It has some nutty and possibly citrusy fruit notes alongside the usual Laphroaig character. A wonderful, rich mouthfeel and a long, smoky finish. Please avoid adding ice or water; it's perfect as is.

A pour from an online spirits group. Laphroaig Cairdeas 2014 Amontillado (eight years in bourbon barrels, then a year in amontillado casks): Nose: Smoky, sweet honey, vanilla, salted caramel, buttery cookies, lemon confection, nutty almonds, spice, walnuts, floral notes, dried grapes, pineapple, mango, and cherries. Palate: Smoke, tar, peat, medicinal iodine, vanilla, honey, caramel, plums, almonds, dried grapes, peaches, cherries, pepper, figs, and oranges. Finish: Smoky, vanilla, almonds, caramel, cashews, honey, lemon confection, pineapple, sultanas, and papaya.

This is an excellent example of how to craft an Islay whisky with subtlety and balance. It has a soft heather aroma on the nose (similar to a young Balvenie), with a trace of brine and saltiness. The palate continues with more brine, saltiness, citrus, and caramel. It's nowhere near the typical in-your-face Laphroaig, which isn't a drawback... it simply demonstrates how well it balances delicate floral notes with a robust peat foundation. Thanks to a generous sample from a friend!