Gary

Laphroaig Càirdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

59.5% ABV
$80
Website

We would like to thank Laphroaig and Multiply for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Each year, Laphroaig Distillery Manager, John Campbell, crafts a limited edition malt to celebrate friendship (“Càirdeas” in Gaelic). Those who were lucky enough to attend this year’s Fèis Ìle celebrations had the chance to share a dram of this unique whisky, which is one of the most anticipated Laphroaig offerings each year.
This year’s limited release is a triple maturation. First matured in ex-bourbon barrels, the liquid is next saturated with flavor in smaller quarter casks, and finished in European oak casks that previously housed Oloroso sherry, giving the expression a sweet and smooth finish. It is then barrier filtered and bottled at cask strength to create a punchy dram with Laphroaig’s signature richness of flavor and smoky taste.

TASTING NOTES
COLOUR: Burnished Gold.
NOSE: Polished leather and tobacco leaves with spicy lemon and clementine zest. Subtle notes of golden syrup and rich heather honey, with autumn leaves, hazelnuts, vanilla fudge and a touch of white pepper and nutmeg. Dried camomile flowers and a touch of passion fruits.
BODY: Full bodied.
PALATE: Sweet with rich toffee, with dates, maple syrup, praline and crème caramel. Grilled chestnuts with tarte Tatin, marzipan and strong black pepper. Cedar wood, a touch of furniture polish and beeswax.
FINISH: Sweet, long with caramel and spicy buttery fudge.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Peat, iodine, a smokey campfire, old leather, cigar tobacco, citrus spice notes with subtle floral wisps.
Palate:  Rich with caramel, peat, toffee, apricots, figs, a slightly sharp pepper bite with sea salt and allspice.
Finish:  Moderately long, drying with peat, black pepper and dried fruits.
Comments:  I’m a fan of Laphroaig, and this didn’t disappoint. My favorite readily available offering is the 10 yr cask strength, so I couldn’t wait to get this in a side-by-side match up with it. This has more depth on both the nose and palate, with more fruit notes and nuance. I can’t imagine any fans of Laphroaig being disappointed. Like last year’s Cairdeas Fino Cask Finish, they’ve done a nice job of keeping it squarely in the Laphroaig wheelhouse, with just some subtle nudging here and there.

Rating: Stands Out

Kilchoman Sanaig

46% ABV
$70 – $75
Website

What the Distillery Says

Sanaig, named after an inlet on Islay’s rugged Atlantic cost, is a vatting of Kilchoman matured in both sherry and bourbon barrels. This sherry cask scotch whisky is matured in a high proportion of oloroso barrels (70%), imparting a balance of dried fruits, dark chocolate and rich peat smoke into the spirit.

CASK TYPE: BOURBON & SHERRY
PEAT LEVEL: 50 PARTS PER MILLION

NOSE: Fragrant heather, raisins, pear and orange peel with waves of stoned fruits, mixed spices and rich peat smoke
PALATE: Over ripe plums, red cherries and hints of citrus give way to rich barbeque peat smoke, toffee, oak and dark chocolate
FINISH: Mouth-coating mixed fruit, caramel, cinnamon and clove with layers of brown sugar, spices, peat smoke and lasting sweetness

What Gary Says

Nose:  Peaty with dark fruit notes, raisins, a bit of sherry, lemon meringue, a hint of bbq sauce, smoked meat and fresh hay.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel at the start, tart cherries, raisins, lemon custard, vanilla, honey, sharpening with some pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderately long with vanilla and peat smoke trailing.
Comments:  This was my favorite of the three Kilchoman whiskies included in the Flaviar tasting box. More fruit notes, more depth – still plenty of peat and smoke but they’re not hogging the spotlight. I would really love to try this with more age.

Rating: Stands Out

Kilchoman Machir Bay

46% ABV
$55 – $63
Website

What the Distillery Says

Machir Bay, our signature peated single malt, is a vatting of Kilchoman matured in both bourbon and sherry casks. Named after Islay’s most spectacular beach, the high proportion of bourbon barrels create a distinct balance of classic Islay character and fresh floral complexity. It has a vatting of approximately 90% bourbon barrels and 10% oloroso sherry casks.

CASK TYPE: BOURBON & SHERRY
PEAT LEVEL: 50 PARTS PER MILLION

NOSE: Lemon zest, vanilla and distinct coastal influence give way to floral intensity, juicy peaches, pears, and wafts of rich spices
PALATE: Bursts of tropical fruit and dried sultanas, warming smoke and waves of honey, malt, butterscotch and rich sweetness
FINISH: Sherry-soaked fruit, cracked black pepper and sea salt. Long-lasting with layers of citrus sweetness and maritime peat smoke

What Gary Says

Nose:  Peat with some citrus fruit, cantaloupe, lemon peel, cut grass, green wood, earthy with some smoke and a hint of sea air.
Palate:  Starts sweet, berries in vanilla cream, honey, peat rolls in and sharpens with some pepper spice.
Finish:  Moderate in length with gentle spice and peat.
Comments:  In terms of color, this is a very light dram. A bit better balanced than the Sauternes cask finish – a bit less intense with the peat and not quite as sharp. More fruit notes, and a bit less of the sea air.

Rating: Stands Out