Laphroaig has long been one of my favorite Scotch whiskeys, with its flagship 10-year-old representing my most purchased whisky. It sits near the top, just behind Lagavulin 16 and The Macallan 12 Sherry Cask. There is something about Islay whisky that speaks to me (of course, The Macallan is not an Islay, but it’s still amazing). There is something magical about the impact of peat that, in my humble opinion, best represents Scotch whisky.

I once wrote a poetic ode to Scotch that I believe best sums up Scotch, especially Islay whisky: “Scotch whisky is the essence of Scotland- love and pain, and always, the sea, bound together as poetry in a bottle.”

And, of all Islay whiskies, Laphroaig has always topped my list for its consistent representative character and quality. So, when offered the chance to sample one of its newest releases, the Càirdeas 2024 “Friends of Laphroaig” release, I jumped at the chance! This limited edition release is a 10-year-old blend of two previous releases: 2019’s Triple Wood and 2021’s PX Cask. It’s bottled at cask strength (52.4% ABV), which provides for a more intense flavor profile and for individually customized glass strength with the addition of water. I tasted it at full strength and found that adding a few drops of water opened up the flavors, so YMMV!

Pouring dark amber with an almost copper glow into my trusty Glencairn nosing glass, it immediately released a cloud of nutty toffee overtones and notes of caramel syrup, briny sea air, and distant smoke. Swirling the glass released additional notes of bacon, golden raisins, roasted cashews, and pine needles. Off in the distance, I noted eggy custard, pipe tobacco, old polished leather, and, in the end, winter spice and oak.

At bottle strength, it stung a bit from the high alcohol content, but the sting morphed into a tongue-coatingly round and oily mouthfeel. Diluting increased that sense and enhanced the whisky’s sweetness.

Initial flavors leaned into the traditional Isaly characteristics, with hints of brine, earthy peat, and campfire overlaying nut brittle, toasted Brazil nuts, toffee, bitter hears, and baked orange peel. Mid-swallow released sweeter flavors of dark chocolate, coffee, burnt brown sugar, and candied ginger, leading to hints of menthol, savory spice, black pepper, and more peat. The finish was long and silky, with the toffee, caramel, and custard vying for attention over the brine, peat, and smoke.

Laphroiag’s 2024 Càirdeas single malt Islay Scotch whisky is one of the most complex and deeply intricate whiskies I’ve sampled in years. It has the charm and pedigree of PX Sherry and the warmth and fierceness of Islay challenging one another and vying for supremacy. But, instead of creating a battle in the bottle, each side complements the other, resulting in a spectacular dram.