Richard-ModernDrinking
Laphroaig Càirdeas 15 Year
Single Malt — Islay, Scotland
Reviewed
July 8, 2019 (edited July 10, 2019)
This 15-year-old Laphroaig was an off-cycle release in the Cairdeas series: not a cask-strength take like the usual annual bottlings, but a limited edition released in 2017 from first-fill ex-bourbon barrels. The nose is more akin to the peaty 10 than the fruity 15 Laphroaig released for its 200th anniversary, only a little softer and sweeter. There’s a Meyer lemon edge to the sweetness, with a hint of heather and lavender. It’s surprisingly thin and delicate on the palate to start — the peat is more of a buzz than an overt presence — but then it quickly turns bitter. After that you’re left with a sour aftertaste. For all the great whisky that Laphroaig produces, it too often seems content to bottle sub-par liquid. This is one of those times.
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@LeeEvolved Much appreciated sir! No rush and I hope all is well.
@Richard-ModernDrinking - well, I can send you a taste if you’d like to hold off. I can also get you a pour of the 2011 so you can expand your Cairdeas review resume. I’m currently out of town dealing with a family issue, but I could get a box out to you at some point late next week, if you’d like.
@LeeEvolved I’ve had 2012-2018 and like them all to varying degrees. Good to hear this year’s is up to snuff - I am for once not rushing to buy it.
Great review! I just opened bottles of the 2011 & 2012 Cairdeas and was very disappointed with the 2011. The 2012 is a beautiful example of just a well-aged, ex-bourbon cask Laphroaig. I can’t help but think the 2015-2017 Cairdeas were also uninspiring. This year’s Triple Wood CS is surprisingly good- lots more sherry forward than the regular Triple Wood.