Laphroaig Càirdeas 2017 Cask Strength Quarter Cask Edition

Earlier this year, I worked my way through a bottle of the standard Quarter Cask. Looking back, that was a superb bottle in its own right. Enter the 2017 Cairdeas edition. I'm a sucker for cask strength whisky, so when @PBMichiganWolverine told me about this one, I was immediately intrigued at the opportunity to try what I am expecting to be the QC on steroids. Let's get into it. Nose: It's undoubtedly recognizable as a part of the QC line. Heavy campfire smoke, iodine, salt, seaweed, ash, sulfur, and damp wood. A true maritime behemoth. It's a direct reflection of what I put in my QC review. True to form, I get vanilla, malt, lemon, orange, pepper, coconut, and almond. Big chestnut note. Following all that, an intense burst of cinnamon heat overtakes my senses. This one noses like a true cask strength Islay. In essence, it's the standard QC kicked up a notch or two, as you'd expect. Awesome. Palate: This one starts off as a medicinal, maritime peat bomb. More smoke and iodine, coupled with seaweed and salt. It's simultaneously leafy and herbal, with spearmint and fresh spinach present. Smoked meats with some black pepper and chili. As the palate progresses, it suddenly becomes much sweeter. Honey, vanilla, toffee, apple, and white chocolate. Lemon and grapefruit. Peppermint. On the tail end, it's darker sweet notes of dark chocolate and cocoa. If I don't cut this off now, this will never end. There's a hell of a lot going on here, and it's all hitting the right notes. Finish: Through and through, this one's a beast. This one goes on for days. Shortly after pouring, the finish is all campfire smoke, sulfur, seaweed, and sea salt. Then it's back to spice. Chili, red pepper, black pepper, and cinnamon. Massive ABV in the best way possible. Beyond 30 minutes the peat and smoke are replaced by sweeter notes. Some of the chocolate, vanilla, honey sweetness carry over from the palate. The spicy notes still take over from here on out. The way this one evolves over time is astounding. Great stuff. I compared this one to the standard QC several times for obvious reasons. This is one of those times when a great whisky is able to reach new heights when bottled at cask strength. In fact, I'd say this one is the epitome of such a phenomenon. Gritty Islay? Check. Cask strength? Check. Remarkable complexity? Check. Reasonably priced? Check, again. I nabbed the last bottle on the shelf, and I'm lucky to have done so. It's since been replaced with the 2018 Fino Cask, which I can't wait to try. I came in a subscriber to Laphroaig, and now walk away a subscriber to the vaunted Cairdeas line. Thanks to @PBMichiganWolverine for making me aware of this one. Absolute must buy if you can still find it. Simply amazing.

Unusual nose with a strong finish of the aroma. Lots of alcohol but mellows nicely with a few drops of water.

Small taste. Try again

that'll punch you right in the face and make you love it all the more for it

smokey and rough but also smooth