Another top shelf bonus sample to help close out the SDT. This year’s Laphroaig Cairdeas, provided by @LeeEvolved was matured in ex bourbon casks from Makers Mark (where Laphroaig sources all of their bourbon casks) and finished in Fino sherry casks. Bottled at 51.8% ABV and is non chill filtered and natural color of honey gold. Classic Laphroaig nose, wafting smoke, medicinal peat, ashy, tarry. Grassier than most other Laphroaigs. Cold ashes, campfire smoke, creosote. Damp earth, moss, vegetal peat and menthol. The Fino notes are buried at first but rise to the surface after some time. Dark red grapes, a touch of vanilla and floral perfume. Towards the bottom of the glass there are toffee and caramel notes. I added some water to see if there was anything hidden under the ABV. Stronger wine notes, mint and florals, but less overall smoke. On the palate, heat builds and builds as you hold it on the tongue, then the heat dissipates and is replaced my a mushroom cloud’s worth of smoke upon swallowing. Ashes, bandaids, rubber, iodine and tennis balls. The wine notes are even further buried on the palate, but they’re there, lurking around in the peat bog. Water adds wood spice, mint/eucalyptus. One of those drams that makes you want to stop taking notes and just sit back and get lost. A medium to full bodied mouthfeel that is mouth coating and dry. The finish is medium short with smoky peat, wine notes and very dry. While I still feel that Lore is the best Laphroaig I’ve had so far (it’s just so oily and rich!), this one is in my top 5 from this distillery. On par with the 2014 Amontillado finish Cairdeas, or maybe just below it due to the shorter finish and dry mouthfeel. One clear, CLEAR indicator of its quality... my wife walked in halfway through my tasting and commented that it smelled great in the room. I offered her a taste and she made the face, the face of someone that just had their first South Coast Islay scotchgasm. She’s never done that with any whisky. So kudos to you Laphroaig, you were this husband and wife’s first Islay. Thanks for the sample Lee. 4.5 Cheers