Laphroaig Cairdeas 2012 Origin

Laphroaig Cairdeas 2012 Origin, 7 YO, 51.2 %

Yesterday I reviewed the Laphroaig Cairdeas 2017 Cask Strength Quarter Cask. While rummaging through my collection I found that I had a bottle of the Laphroaig Cairdeas 2012 Origin. Funnily enough this release also made use of quarter casks, as documented in this official blurb:

We specially retained some of our very first Cairdeas for the 'Friends' 18th birthday expression. This whisky is now between 13 and 21 years old. We then blended it (50:50) with some new spirit fully matured in quarter casks for 7 years [..].

Curious as I am I set about comparing the Cairdeas expressions from 2012 and 2017, and below you can find the results.

The Laphroaig Cairdeas 2012 Origin is sadly long sold out.

Nose: It starts off much like the 2017 release. Lots more vanilla, though, and icing sugar. I detect iodine and tar in the background.

Taste: Medium body on this one. It is rather dry-ish, with lots of ashes upfront. Vanilla for sure. Dry peat smoke, with apples and pears in the back. It comes across as heavily peated in character.

Finish: Medium long finish. Caramel, honey and chocolate. It all comes together with a heavy sweetness. It is no longer dry. Some fresh oakiness towards the end.

Comments: I actually prefer this 2012 release to the 2017. This one has a bit more going on, and I love the fresh, young and peaty version of Laphroaig. It has a certain element of the wild and untamed to it.

Score (88/100)

Image from Master of Malt.

Sláinte! - Thomas