Laphroaig Càirdeas 2022 Warehouse 1

I nearly passed on acquiring this. While I confess my initial opportunity to purchase it was during a seaside holiday, and it cost $116, I'm aware that locally, when it becomes available, it retails for $99. However, it wasn't in stock at home yet, and I was uncertain if it ever would be, so I was tempted, but I resisted due to the early evaluations I had encountered on this platform. You see, I was very fond of the 2021 Cairdeas Pedro Ximenez. It was, in truth, one of my most cherished whiskies. And the preliminary reviews I observed on this site for Warehouse 1 were unenthusiastic. I understand that sentiment, and I also disagree with it. The reason I understand is that this expression isn't as exceptional as the 2021. The reason I disagree is that this is a very authentic Laphroaig. I am, to some degree, echoing sentiments shared by others, but I believe this point merits repetition. Bottled at 104 proof, its alcohol content isn't quite as high as the 10 Year Cask Strength, yet it exceeds the proof of the standard 10 year. Even though this lacks an age statement, it presents itself as a higher-proof rendition of the 10. Now, I haven't yet managed to obtain a bottle of the 10 Cask Strength, so a direct comparison isn't possible for me. But this possesses all the aromatic and flavor characteristics of the 10. Iodine, Peat, Rubber, Tar – if you appreciate those notes, it mystifies me why you wouldn't enjoy this, because here they are more pronounced and richer. The taste profile is comparable, offering a subtle hint of vanilla-honey sweetness on the finish, with a prolonged briny conclusion. I cannot fathom someone drinking this if they dislike peated scotch. I cannot imagine this being someone's introductory Laphroaig. So, once again, I'm perplexed by the low ratings. I opened this last week during a tasting session while watching a football game with my brother-in-law and father present. The tasting commenced with this dram, followed by the Talisker Distillers Edition, then the Ardbeg Wee Beastie, and concluded with the Nikka from the Barrel. And you know what? Every single one was outstanding. But this was unequivocally the best of the group, which is high praise considering the Talisker Distiller's Edition was also featured. The DE was the 2021 Talisker, and it's a remarkable spirit, but this Cairdeas was more robust and full-bodied. It lacked the same sweetness but compensated with its sheer intensity. As a side note, this was matured in Maker's Mark barrels, and I'm considering that this might be analogous to the Maker's 101 in the Laphroaig range. Not quite the Cask Strength, but providing an added kick to the standard bottling, this likely occupies a middle ground. Naturally, until I sample the Cask Strength, this remains speculation. But my ultimate recommendation is: don't overlook this. The lower scores compared to last year's release are understandable, but only because last year's was exceptional. If you appreciate Islay, if you enjoy peat, if you are a fan of Laphroaig, this dram is intended for you.

Laphroaig Càirdeas 2022 Warehouse 1 is welcoming, exciting, and truly reflects its origin. The color immediately captivates me – a rich white-gold, pale and subtle like straw. It appears delicate and full-bodied, with a pearlescent and soft sheen. It might almost lead you to believe this dram lacks the typical Laphroaig characteristics, but you would be mistaken. It took me some time to get accustomed to this one. The initial aroma is somewhat sharp, but letting it breathe for a bit helps significantly. After a few minutes, I detected vanilla and white chocolate alongside almonds and hay. Further exploration revealed a citrus note, a creamy lemon meringue, and baking spices with graham cracker. Strangely, I also found root vegetables, like carrot and beet, grounding the dram. Given its proximity to the sea during maturation, it's not excessively salty or peaty. These elements are present, certainly, but they are not dominant. They provide a foundation for the other prominent flavors. As a Laphroaig enthusiast, it's impossible not to appreciate this bottling. This Scotch is vibrant and engaging, possessing an elegance that reminds me of a bride ready for an adventurous dip in the ocean, gown and all. It embodies the kind of excitement many seek. The palate is initially lively, then becomes more of a gentle caress. This Scotch is earthy, dry, and salty. The lemon note is more pronounced here, revealing dried salted nuts, grass, baking flour/pizza crust, with a hint of apricot and nectarine. I also noticed black pepper, papaya, and tropical dried fruits. Again, a few minutes of aeration uncovers new nuances like moss, grass, aged wood, and damp earth. This all leads to a dry and warm finish. It's present but doesn't linger excessively. The back of my tongue tingles slightly, prompting salivation to ease the dryness. A noticeable warmth remains in the chest and throat, more like a comforting embrace than an irritation. It genuinely feels like affection. I've sampled other Càirdeas expressions, and while excellent, they differ from this one in the way a fine dining experience differs from a wonderful home-cooked meal. This bottling feels like gathering around a table with cherished company, sharing laughter and stories, and leaving with a spirit more fulfilled than ever imagined. This is, quite simply, the best of life's experiences, encapsulated in a Scotch. Well done, Laphroaig!

Nose: Exceptionally aromatic - fills the room within just a minute or so of pouring. Tar, pencil shavings, driftwood, seaweed, kelp, salt cakes, lighter stone fruit, some citrus (watered down lemon), new shoes in the box, vanilla cake. It continues to develop. Tennis balls. Palate: A touch of red fruit, oak, shredded sweet potato cakes with corn (fried), dried fish, dried seaweed, cooked almond, vanilla infused yellow cake, french vanilla ice cream. Finish: All the maritime notes plus decent heat, oak, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, chalky minerals, hints of tar and seaweed. It truly embodies its branding: this is a Laphroaig that grew up on the shoreline. It's unmistakably the classic Laphroaig character, but with added strength and abundant sea notes that work very well. I do find it a bit blunt and lacking some refinement, but that's understandable for an NAS single malt - there's certainly some younger spirit in here. At times, that lack of polish is endearing. Still, I can't help but wonder what a straight 10 or 12 year old Warehouse 1 might taste like. Better, I suspect. Perhaps such a thing exists (or even older) - I'm not familiar enough with the full Laphroaig range to know. Please let me know if you are aware of it. _______________________ Please come join an unofficial community on Discord (now one whole year old!): https://discord.gg/4nfePCdyKM. We discuss spirits (and other things) in real time while serving as a great resource for each other for recommendations, finding deals, and generally enjoying the journey together. (If the link is expired, please post a comment and I will gladly and usually quickly provide a new one. Lately, I have not been able to tag people who have asked for the link, so please check back when you can. Or, better still, look for a more recent review of mine which should have the most current link.)

I've been a huge fan of Cairdeas for years, my appreciation starting with the 2016 edition. In all that time, this one definitely has the least appealing name. I suspect it comes from their best warehouse, something like that must be the reason for its release. I will judge the whiskey based on its contents. Nose: Ocean spray, saltiness, sea salt, and kelp. Peat, bonfire smoke, and a tennis ball. A ballpark pretzel. Floral notes. Baking soda. Apple, pear, apricot, and raisin. Hazelnut, salted caramel, toffee, and vanilla. Peanut butter. Strong lemon. Mint. Black bean with red pepper and chili. Cinnamon, black and white pepper, and oak. Palate: Intense salted caramel and saltwater taffy. Sea salt, kelp, saltiness. Bonfire smoke, rubber, a tennis ball. Hazelnut. Vanilla, butterscotch, and toffee. Baking soda. Plum, dried apricot, and raisin. Cola. Fig and date. Mint. Grapefruit and lemon. Finish: Ash, bonfire smoke, rubber, menthol, and iodine. Bonfire smoke. Cola and raisin. Fig and date. Black bean, red pepper chili. Cinnamon, black pepper, and oak. The finish is long. This is a very, very good whiskey. Laphroaig consistently produces excellent releases. I find the profile most similar to the 16-year bottling. It's sweeter and more candy-like than fruity, which is a departure from the norm for many of these wine cask-aged Cairdeas releases. It's also more polished and has less harsh peat than the 16-year. Now, how does it compare to other Cairdeas releases? Most of those were absolutely incredible, 5-star whiskies. This one is merely superb. At $90, it's the same price I've always paid for Cairdeas releases, and I'm certainly taking that into account for my rating. 4.5/5.

When the Feis Ile festival arrives, some exceptional spirits are also released. Laphroaig offers a fantastic series called "Cairdeas" that appears annually during Islay's renowned celebration. The 2021 expression was phenomenal, which made me eager to sample this 2022 "Warehouse 1" Cairdeas. Bottled at 52.1% ABV, this is Laphroaig's quintessential expression. On the nose, it begins with something describable as an earthy brownie. It has floral, earthy, rubber boot, tilled soil, and horse saddle notes. Pine tree, Sharpie marker, and povidone-iodine. It smells like cleaning products; iodine and pepper. Wet grass, seaweed, and welding. On the palate, it's like vanilla water. Vanilla ice cream, plastic. Artificial notes; it's quite enjoyable. Simple, but well executed. The aftertaste was my favorite part. Rubber, grass, a pleasant spiciness, and salt. An everlasting salty finish. Metallic and blood-like flavors. Overall, this met expectations. It wasn't as outstanding as the 2021 release, but it unmistakably screams "Laphroaig." A very well-crafted and balanced expression; this one won't disappoint anyone. I've given it a score of 91 out of 100.

I assumed a pour from a half-full bottle, opened for seven months, would be ready to drink. I was mistaken. Initially, the nose offers salt spray, subdued peat, and rubber. The palate was fiery, salty, a bit smoky, and overwhelmingly bitter. After I forgot about it for twenty minutes and returned, I noticed it was still on the table and took another sip with vastly different outcomes. The aroma remains largely the same, but now a touch of crab apple adds sweetness, and it's more clearly Laphroaig, yet also quite Ardbeg-like. The taste is still zesty but no longer fiery, featuring lighter-than-anticipated peat smoke, dry hay, baked apple pastries, and a subtle thread of honey, concluding with a pleasant tingle on the lips and gums. It lacks the substance and richness of the 10 year, or the excellent smoked meats found in the 10yr CS.