Laphroaig Cairdeas 2021 PX Casks Cask Strength
58.9% ABV - Islay, Scotland
Nose: Rich, stewed fruits, jam, peated wood smoke, and roasted nuts. Hints of wood spices.
Taste: Dried fruits, plum, and raisins. Smokehouse with cherry wood chips.
Finish: Loads of fruits ride out into the peat smoke sunset.
The Laphroaig Cairdeas 2021 is lots of flavour coming at you in high concentration. It has bolder, richer characteristics compared to most other Laphroaig releases that I’ve had. The ex-Sherry tends to work wonderfully with the intense peat smoke of Laphroaig; the smoke still punches through the sweet layers.
What their team has done here with Pedro Ximénez is sooo tasty! There is an edition, PX Cask, sold at duty free shops across the world that is very, very similar to this release… albeit at 48% ABV instead of the cask strength for this one. It’s one that I try to have on hand at all times! I am lucky to have picked up two bottles of this Cairdeas 2022 release, so I’ll be pouring this one for many days to come.
Tasting Notes (Official): Cairdeas 2021 is triple matured. The first maturation is in 1st Fill American Oak ex-Bourbon Barrels, the second in American Oak ex-Bourbon Quarter Casks and finally finished in European Oak Hogsheads originally containing PX sherry. Each cask combines to create a complex Laphroaig expression full of character. The influence of the PX casks adds a sweetness which is balanced with oak and all the much-loved classic Laphroaig flavours or peat, smoke and salt. Bottled at cask strength to ensure all the rich and intricate flavours come through on this distinct and unique expression.
Tasted 24 September 2023. (Posted 23 November 2023.)
