soonershrink
Laphroaig Càirdeas 2023 White Port & Madeira Casks
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
July 1, 2023 (edited December 19, 2023)
I waited more than a year after release of the 2022 to pick it up, but I bought this one the first day it showed up in stores locally. Don't know anything about white port, but I tend to enjoy madiera finished whiskies, so I was looking forward to this one.
The nose shows a little more fruit than typical Laphroaig, but it's not leaping out. A little citrus, a little green apple. As it opens a bit of berry and cream. Some of the usual suspects show up like brine, slight medicinal iodine. The sour apple and citrus fruit seem to stand out most to me. The palate sees much of the same as the nose, but the peat shows up in a much bigger way. The brine and iodine lead the way, along with ashy smoke. The sweet vanilla that shows up in the 2022 Warehouse 1 is dialed back quite a bit, but it's in there too. There's a little meatiness, like smoked ham, which I usually associate more with Ardbeg than Laphroaig. The finish turns a little tannic before the smoke rides out on a medium to long finish.
Seems to me that the finishing on this one is more understated, particularly compared to the 2021 with the heavy PX influence. I think fans of the general Laphroaig profile will find a lot to like here, but those looking for a heavy finish may be somewhat disappointed. I've kind of become a Laphroaig fanboy, so I enjoy it, but I think I actually prefer the 2022, which I almost didn't even buy.
92.0
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per
Bottle
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@Richard-ModernDrinking seems to be getting better for me since the first pour.
I need to try this again. Didn’t love my first pour and haven’t touched the bottle since.
I may have rated too soon. Not sure if this is getting better, or if my palate is in a different place tonight, but I'm getting a bigger dose of berries and cream overlaying the classic Laphroaig peat and it is hitting the spot. Bumping up a quarter point and now contemplating picking up another bottle.
Nice review SS.........Im almost to the point with Laphroaig and Ardbeg that a lot of the offerings are just a variation on a theme. I think for me I could be happy with Lap 10/ Quarter Cask and Ard 10/Oogie and call it a day............okay maybe an occasional Lore and Corry but you get my point