Every year I look forward to these releases. None have yet to match the amazingness of the 2013 Port Finished Cairdeas, but if any of the recent releases have a shot it’s the 2019 Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength. I really enjoy the regular Laphroaig Triple Wood; it’s my favorite in the low proof core range. I say low proof because if we went with standard core, it’s the Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength all the way.
Created from whiskey that went from ex-bourbon to quarter casks and then to ex-sherry casks it’s hitting all the major wood sources employed by Laphroaig. It’s a whisky that gets the best of everything this distillery has to offer and then it’s blended together and in this case it’s delivered at natural cask strength. I can’t wait to dive into this Scotch review.
2019 Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength Review: Details and Tasting Notes
The unique expression is a special triple maturation, first matured in ex-bourbon barrels, then in quarter casks and finally in European oak casks which previously held oloroso sherry. 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.
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Laphroaig
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon, Quarter Casks, ex-Oloroso
Age: NAS
ABV: 59.5%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 2019
Price: $80
Tasting Notes
EYE
Copper
NOSE
Strawberry Pixie Stix, toffee, smoke, caramel apples, brine, butter cookies and herbal spice.
PALATE
Strawberry Pixie Stix, butter cookies, dark sweets, smoke, cherry, ash, herbal spice and touches of citrus and brine.
FINISH
Long -> Smoke, dark sweets, fruity sweetness, olde candy and saline.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good sense of balance, medium-full body and an oily feel.
2019 Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength Review: Overall and Score
I like it… I like it a lot. The Aroma is full of sweet and briny and buttery notes accented with smoke; Palate is similar but with a more nunaced and complex sweetness; Finish carries a heavy layer of smoke paired up with the sweet notes.
Adding a bit of water to the 2019 Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength brings out some musty piney notes and some added buttery notes on aroma. The palate amps up the dark fruit / freeze-dried strawberry notes; touches of lemon appear in the finish after a while.
I’m enjoying this whisky and keep finding new things to enjoy about it. It’s a tasty lovely whisky I’m looking forward to sipping on through the new year.
SCORE: 4/5
2019 Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength Review $80
Overall
4.3- Nose (4.5)
- Palate (4.5)
- Finish (4)
- BBF (4)
User Review
0 (0 votes) Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)2019 Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Cask Strength Review Summary
Rich, fruity, sweet and a touch coastal and rustic, this is whisky that delivers across the board; a multifaceted whisky that any fan or Laphroaig, peat or just good Scotch can enjoy.