Laphroaig Cairdeas 2024 Cask Favourites 10 Year Old
Peaty, Leathery2024-06-02
Smell
The opening is unmistakable: the iodine-rich, medicinal Laphroaig smoke, accompanied by a hint of tobacco. Milder aromas of charred grill grate join in. Behind the peat, we find the sherry casks: plums wrapped in bacon, old leather, orange peel, and the scents of fermented grapes. In the top notes, we detect orange peel and a touch of forest honey.
Taste
On the palate, pure maritime aromas unfold immediately. We think of seaweed and seawater. The malt is creamy and effervescent with hints of chili and ginger. On the palate, it is herbaceous and dry with hints of burnt sage. In the background, light notes of orange peel, licorice, and coffee grounds emerge.
Finish
The finish is medium-long and comes with a good dose of slightly bitter oak. A light pepper kick with voluminous smoke is accompanied by a smoldering leaf fire. The dram is rounded off by hints of burnt caramel.
Thoughts
The 2024 Cairdeas is well-balanced, multi-layered, and provides a warm and spicy counterpoint to the classic Laphroaig aroma. All the key elements are in place, and the Islay distillery delivers an absolutely solid and recommendable malt. However, solid is not always unique at the end of the day. The drawback remains the price. While you don't have to dig as deep into your pockets as with some other distilleries, this is probably more interesting for collectors and super fans. We would probably go for the 10CS, which has a much better value for money.