Laphroaig Cairdeas 2022 Warehouse 1
52.2% ABV - Islay, Scotland
Nose: Orchard fruits and wisps of tropical fruit. Saline, beachwood bonfire, rubbery or medicinal peat smoke. Fresh oak, vanilla, and shredded coconut.
Taste: Sharp peppery peat smoke, with layers of charred wood and fresh fruit. Salty character is strong with vanilla and wood tannins. Soft notes of citrus and caramel.
Finish: Sweetness fades quickly leaving woody peat smoke that lasts. Dunnage, earthy peat smoke with a return of the tropical fruits.
The annual Cairdeas release is always a treat—and an excellent value. It tends to be one of the cheaper limited releases from Islay. It’s impressive that they are able to maintain the good value given the nature of price increases from other distilleries. This one sells out quick so it’s often difficult to try before you buy!
Generally speaking, I find the Cairdeas Warehouse 1 to be fairly similar to the 10-Year Cask Strength. There is a limited release, An Cuan Mòr and, if you blended it with the 10-Year Cask Strength, I think it would be remarkably similar in flavour tasted side-by-side this one. (Mental note to try that when I open my last bottle of An Cuan Mòr…)
Tasting Notes (Official): Cairdeas 2022 is exclusively matured in first-fill Maker’s Mark bourbon casks and solely aged in our landmark warehouse that proudly bears our name. Each cask reflects the unique maritime character of Warehouse 1 - its exposure to the elements lends a shoreline astringency to the classic Laphroaig flavour of peat, smoke and salt - with unrivalled nuance from its rare four-storey construction. For nearly two centuries, this paragon of Islay has stood guard, its think walls providing safe harbour for our whisky, buckling just once to a notorious deluge. This bottle strength befits a treasured partner, who contribution to our renowned flavour profile is now given well-desrived recognition.
Tasted 24 September 2023. (Posted 23 November 2023.)
