Comparison with the 10 year old sherry finish TL;DR: They are very similar. No distinct difference in the general notes, but they are different in how they present. Nose: Burnt bacon, vanilla, cinnamon, light lemon and faint malt. Figs, raisins, and dates. The nose is definitely the more "laphroaig" nose. The classic characteristics of the 10 show up here strongly as well with the addition of the sherry scents. The 10 year old sherry is far more sweet, with the sweet cherry, date, and fig note overwhelming the base spirit. The 10 sherry is more also far more floral. Taste: Classic laphroaig of burnt bacon, rubber, and iodine. The rubber and iodine notes are extended longer into the finish. Light lemony malt and vanilla towards the finish with a slight hint of very sweetened cherries and dates with the honey floral sweetness to end things off. I would recommend the cairdeas more only because its cask strength and therefore lets you play with the proof a bit more.