Jose-Massu-Espinel
Laphroaig Càirdeas 2021 Pedro Ximenez Casks
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
December 21, 2021 (edited June 26, 2022)
I have already closed my top ten rankings for best whisky of 2021, and after i did, this INCREDIBLE WHISKY APPEARED IN MY LIFE. Let me start telling you, that if i had another bottle, i would never share it again, i don't care if "Cairdeas" is the Gaelic word for friendship or anything like that. This is one of the most wonderful drams i have had this year (and i went crazy on good bottles in 2021). It has already reached my top ten of 2022, it is that good.
Bottled at 58.9%abv, Chesnut color.
On the nose: perfection.
On the palate: perfection.
Aftertaste: perfection.
There you go, that is my review, lol.
Ok let's get real: on the nose: Maple syrup, nerf toys, pond, fishtank, fresh smell from a new car, Figs and Cough syrup. YES ALL THAT CRAZY STUFF. After a first sip, aroma gave me a sheet of paper, chocolate, coffe and peat. Swamp, Wet grass, rainforest.
On the palate it is just too good. Cherries, maple syrup, sulphur, Peat. I actually wrote while tasting it: "Es buenisima esta mi*rda" which translates to "this is some serious good sh*t". A sherry madness with salt. Such a beauty.
Aftertaste gave me plastic notes, bacon; very dry. Chocolate, Peat and Salt. Perfectly delivered and long finish.
Overall, Can you guess what my score is for it?
You know me. It is a 100. BUY IT. OR DON'T, LEAVE IT ALL FOR ME.
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@Anthology yeah, I saw the 16 yr gold label one , at $450. Only logic I can think of is amazing casks. Wasn’t aware of the 16 Seagrass…would imagine it to be deeper and more complex than the regular, but will be interesting to see how many will be buyers.
@PBMichiganWolverine Get this. They also was 16Yr Seagrass. Haven’t heard much or seen much about that one in terms of reviews. There’s a gold label that was released same time as the 24yr which is like $450. Blend of 16yr & 17Yr olds, which I thought was interesting that it cost more than the 24yr, albeit Canadianwhisky as the base.
@Anthology @PBMichiganWolverine I hope you have the same experience as me. It needed a little air but after that, it was a completely different experience.
@Anthology @pkingmartin yeah me too—-picked that 24 yr based on your review. There’s a 25 yr as well for the same price but haven’t heard much about that one
@pkingmartin I picked up the Barrell 24 Yr purely off your review. No pressure 😊 Looking forward to cracking it when it comes up on deck. Long backlog!
@pkingmartin agreed! So so good
@drjon0 It’s expensive but one of my all time favorite drinks. Definitely my favorite in my house right now. They really outdid themselves on it.
@pkingmartin That Barrell 24 year is money!
@Jose-Massu-Espinel @PBMichiganWolverine I plan to drink them, one day. I have so much and try not to open everything at once.
@PBMichiganWolverine @Scott_E i have none. i drank them. i regret nothing.
@PBMichiganWolverine nice. I have them since 2014, save the 2017 (I believe). The Port, which I didn’t purchase but tasted, as we have discussed many times, is great. @Jose-Massu-Espinel agreed, they are all great. And still, for now, reasonably priced.
@Jose-Massu-Espinel not that it was planned, but it turned out I have every one of the Cairdeas since the first one. So didn’t plan that…just grew.
@Scott_E cairdeas is a great series, no doubt about it
@Jose-Massu-Espinel @PBMichiganWolverine pick this up last month. Looking forward to drinking this one, one day. I have a whole backlog of Cairdeas to get through. The 200th 15 year was fantastic and wound up getting two.
@pkingmartin great list. i haven't tasted most of them. worst of 2021? i don't think i can gather 10. but one dissapointing whisky from this year was Raasay inaugural release
@Jose-Massu-Espinel Thanks for sharing. I put together a list of my top 10 for 2021. 1. Barrell 24 year Canadian 2. Bunnahabhain 30 year Old Part IB 3. The Singleton of Glen Ord 38 year 4. Proof and Wood 25 year 5. Hazelburn 13 year (2020 release) 6. Longrow 18 year (2015 release) 7. Del Maguey Arroqueno 8. Glenfarclas 25 year 9. Lux Row Double Barrel 12 year 10. Lock Stock and Barrel 18 year Now, what about your worst 10 for 2021?
@PBMichiganWolverine i have had most of the last 5-6 years releases and this one was by far the best one
@Jose-Massu-Espinel i’ve not had this yet, but I’ve also read /heard this was a much better Cairdeas than the last few
@Skymecca it was worth it. it is a great dram
This is my favorite scotch of the year as well, beating out Laphroaig 10 Sherry Oak and the old Glendronach 10 Year Port Wood. It’s spectacular. I saw one at BevMo the other day and may have to swing back and grab it before it’s gone forever, as damaged as my wallet is this year.
@hvalbuena you need this. trust me
@soonershrink exactly my friend.
Hahaha I guess I would consider getting a bottle of this one
@pkingmartin i haven't decided the order yet, but my top ten of 2021 are: Arran the exciseman Auchrosik st. Margaret The Glenlivet number of the beast Avonside 1938 Macallan 21yo fine oak Arrrrrrrdbeg Lagavulin islay jazz 2017 Ardbeg supernova 2019 Glendronach 2005 hand filled Glenlivet 15 Sherry Cask Matured Taiwan exclusive. i believe the Auchroisk is going to win.
Only a Laphroaig can be described with notes of Nerf toys, fish tank, pond, and new car, but also be thought of as perfection. I love it.
I’m hearing good things about this one, but what are your top ten whiskies for 2021? I’ll need to work on a list myself.