Laphroaig Càirdeas 2023 White Port & Madeira Casks

Nose: definitely getting the bready/yeasty soft pretzel note. Getting hints of cinnamon and ginger. Caramelized sugar comes through, as well as hints of the charred orange peel that Laphroaig suggests in their notes. The green apple note they suggest is subtle but comes out more as it opens up. Vanilla creme brulee. Caramelized peaches come out more as it opens as well. Palate: honey, citrus (orange and lemon, getting both peel and fruit), a surprisingly robust oakiness. Slight peach. Substantial sea spray/salinity. Classic Laphroaig peat weaves throughout. Iodine smoke, dark chocolate and hints of caramel as it transitions to the finish. As i sit with it more, I get that note of hazelnut, very unique and nice. Finish: smoky/hazy wet peat fire, creosote. Hints of sea salted caramel. Expected oaky tannins

Nose: classic laphraoig peat, honey with a slight hint of almonds, white grapes and a hint of dark grapes, light bacon grease. Taste: base laphroaig with a very sweet mid palette. Honey and stewed fruits. Very strong peaty finish almost salty and peppery. Water is desperately needed here. It turns the nose into very lovely stewed fruits with honey and port, almost a jammy quality. Peat takes a back seat but is still somewhat present giving way to oak. Taste is then an intense oaky peppery bite with the fruits and peat. More water makes it even better with the peat up front then going into the jammy stewed fruits.

Nose: peaty, slight smoked meat, green bell pepper, a fruity vanilla creme, a hint of cola, grilled peaches. I'm getting some light yeasty notes after sitting with it a while Palate: oily, ashy, briny, deep oily woodyiness. Fruity, but light. Mild citrus; orange peel. Grilled peaches come in here too. Seaweed. Sweet but not sickly so. Vanilla. Peat is pungent throughout but well balanced by the madeira and port influences. Hints of white wine. Caramel. Finish: smoked ham on retrohale. Smoldering campfire and ash. Phenolic and peaty. Warming, toasty oak. Drying.

Sweet spicy, pepper, and cherries