Laphroaig Càirdeas 2018 Fino Cask Finish

Bright salinity. Citrus, candid lemon, almond on the nose. Opens up with toasty nutty notes. Slight heat and spice. Mid coffee and tobacco spice. Nice pest balances and brings all flavors together, good acidity.

The nose starts with traditional Laphroaig smokiness and the common meaty profile. There is a salty or briny note that definitely changes things. Underlying all of this is a layer of hay and honey and maybe a touch of pear sweetness. The palate is surprisingly oily and mild. There is the honey sweetness, but a whisper of a dark fruit wants to appear. The smoke just sits in the background. The finish has smoke but it is not as strong as the nose, but it does dominate almost morphing into barrel char. The combination of the smoke and meat is more like ribs on a BBQ. The honey sweetness and the smoke blend for a very long, mouthwatering finish.

Nose: peat, almonds, dark fruit, strawberries and cream, brine Taste: peat, almonds, vanilla Finish: peat and almonds