Laphroaig Càirdeas 2018 Fino Cask Finish

Salty with heavy peat start to finish. Makes me feel like I’m dragging my tongue along Scotland’s western coastline.

First off, I’m a big peat head. Although this is a tasty dram to sip on, I prefer the 2017 Cairdeas over this one for more body to the sip, and it doesn’t necessary hold a candle to the basic Laphroaig 10 which I would take any day over this for nearly half the price. That being said, it has a very briny nose which is nice, and the sweetness of the scotch overall is not something I would turn away. I would tell you that I get a seaside mist and barbecued meats out of it, but that wouldn’t surprise you from a Laphroaig and it’s all subjective anyway. As far as Laphroaigs are concerned, buy yourself two 10s or a Lore instead. Much more worth your $.

Since i really really loved the Laphroaig Cairdeas 2017 cask strength, i bought that one and it came with this 2018 cairdeas Fino cask expression, which is a very good dram, but inferior to the 2017 one. Fino is a type of sherry but a white wine sherry (¿?) Which tends to be more tropical just as white wine. Bottled at 51.8% amber color. On the nose: Bonfire, Lemon, Burnt hay, Grapefruit, Citric and peat. Pure peat. Gun powder; Toffee very dim; Sea food. Shells. Oysters. On the palate, Grapefruit, Ashes, Mint and Oysters. It has an Earthy - beachy profile. Aftertaste is medium long, with a mixture of spices: Smoke, Sulphur, Salt, Pepper and Wasabi. Overall this is a very enjoyable dram, you dont feel the 51.8%abv anywhere, but it seems like it lacks "that certain something" to step up and become not just a good whisky, but a great one. 89/100.

Not as smoky as other laphroaigs on the nose. A bit of the sherry like influence on the nose also. Palate seems thin to me. Smoke doesn’t overpower this one. It is present but with richness and sweetness as the main player to me. Finish is medium with pepper and flora notes. The more I drink the more chili pepper notes I get on the finish. The first time a tried this bottle I wasn’t a fan because of the sweetness. While it still isn’t my favorite laphroaig I’ll bump my rating to a 4.0 on this dram. Wouldn’t buy another bottle but not mad I have this one.