Laphroaig Càirdeas 15 Year

hint of bourbon, with Laphroaig a distinct smoke taste. Not enough sweetness IMO

This 15-year-old Laphroaig was an off-cycle release in the Cairdeas series: not a cask-strength take like the usual annual bottlings, but a limited edition released in 2017 from first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. The nose is more akin to the peaty 10 than the fruity 15 Laphroaig released for its 200th anniversary, only a little softer and sweeter. There’s a Meyer lemon edge to the sweetness, with a hint of heather and lavender. It’s surprisingly thin and delicate on the palate to start — the peat is more of a buzz than an overt presence — but then it quickly turns bitter. After that you’re left with a sour aftertaste. For all the great whisky that Laphroaig produces, it too often seems content to bottle sub-par liquid. This is one of those times.

A light vanilla flavor, rich with a caramel toffee like essence. Almost immediately there is subtle climb to a peaty and warm finishing palate. After awhile of no longer having Laphroaig, the after taste is an honest and mild sea breeze like flavor that I believe is what makes Laphroaig so special.

Not as peaty as most Laphroaigs. Nice complexity!