Laphroaig Càirdeas 200th Anniversary Edition

Absolutely love this. Perfect blend of smoothness, smokiness, and peat. Neat is just right for me, two three sips puts me in my zone. So good, I just finished the bottle in a week.

I had this last night in NYC at American Whiskey. A 2oz sampling, with a huge piece of ice in it. Interestingly, I paid about $70 for a bottle of this, yet the 2oz at American Whiskey was priced at $26 . Either way...this is a really good whisky. You get a strong maritime aroma, followed by a sweet briny taste like stone fruits combined with salt and smoke. It's different from other Laphroaigs in the sense that it's gentler and more elegant, but don't take that as milder. It's like Pierce Brosnan's 007 vs Daniel Craig's. Elegant vs rough, but both can put you down in a heart beat. I'm glad I have a bottle at home of this, especially when you consider it's $70. Update 1/20/2017: YIPEEEE!!!! It's Friday night, and that means a sojourn with whisky for the weekend! I'm having this sample generously provided by ModernDrinking (thank you!!!). I've had this once before, in NYC at American Whiskey...and I loved it then, loving it even more now. The one thing missing In the 2015 Cairdeas is the smack in your face peat, which I think is a good thing. The ability to manage peat, salinity, brine, and sweetness is no easy task. One has to appreciate and respect that amazing balancing act. This is still available in places...really worthwhile to splurge the $70-80 and get a bottle. Again---thanks so much to ModernDrinking for the sample!!

[$72]