Next up in my Laphroaig series, is a sample of the 2019 Caidreas Triple Wood that was generously provided by @ctbeck11 The nose starts with a mix of honey butter on toasted sourdough, smoked salmon and leather-bound books then light florals, blonde espresso and dark chocolate covered raisins followed by caramelized pears, grilled peaches and musty grapes that transitions to light ginger and freshly opened can of tennis balls with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium to full mouthfeel starting with creamy and slightly tart red berries before a moderate bitter spice that slowly fades to tangy barbecued brisket, grilled figs and freshly lit pipe tobacco then spicy dark chocolate mocha, mild ocean brine and toasted marshmallow followed by caramelized pears, sautéed strawberries and musty grapes that transitions to light ginger, diesel fumes and polished oak with high ethanol burn. The finish is long, starting with a mix of sweet orchard and sour berries that fades to tangy smoked brisket, dark chocolate mocha, asphalt, mild ocean brine and mild black tea. The nose is surprisingly mellow with this beautifully composed mix with sweet honey and toasted oak upfront underscored by lightly smoked meats that fade to slightly soured citrus that draws you in for a taste and quickly reminds you that this is nearly 60% ABV with a slightly sour berry uppercut to the taste buds before a moderate spice that eventually fades to rich barbecued meats, grilled fruits, berries and polished oak that finishes starting sweet with minor sourness before fading to rich barbecued meats and earthy spices that lingers for minutes after each sip. At a price of around $90 when these were released, I’d say these were very well-priced cask strength Islay offerings that were an interesting take on the Laphroaig profile that I’d happily buy a bottle of if I could find it for the same price today. Ratings for the series so far: 10-year cask strength batch 11- 3.75 10-year sherry oak finish- 4.0 Lore- 4.0 2019 Caidreas Triple Wood- 3.75