Introduction
I’ve had a long-standing appreciation for Laphroaig—it’s one of those distilleries that doesn’t try to be universally loved, and I respect that. The Cairdeas releases have always been a bit unpredictable, so I picked up the French Oak matured edition out of a mix of curiosity and loyalty. With this release being their first time aging entirely in French oak casks, rather than just finishing, I knew I was in for something that might shift the familiar balance of smoke, sea, and medicinal bite.
Nose
The aroma caught me off guard. That unmistakable Laphroaig peat is still front and center, but it’s softer here—more rounded. There's a gentle vanilla sweetness beneath the smoke, and I detected notes of charred oak, spice cupboards, a bit of clove, and even toasted brown bread. It smelled warmer and more structured than the usual youthful intensity I get from some Cairdeas editions. That French oak brings a woody depth that, on the nose, seems to restrain the wildness a bit.
Palate
I expected sharpness when I took the first sip, but the mouthfeel was smoother than anticipated. The peat is earthy and resinous rather than sharp and medicinal. There's a nutty quality that surprised me—something like roasted hazelnuts—followed by restrained sweet notes, dark caramel maybe, and then a solid wave of dry oak tannins. The spice builds with pepper and dry clove, while the sweetness stays tucked under the surface, never quite dominating. Compared to the classic 10 or the usual Cairdeas finishes, this felt less about raw muscle and more about structure.
Finish
The finish is long, very drying, and focused on smoke and oak. The French oak’s influence grows more dominant toward the end, bringing a tight bitterness not unlike black tea. I found myself reaching for water toward the end of each dram, not out of discomfort, but because the drying tannins demanded it. That said, the smoke lingers for ages—dry, herbal and slightly ashy. It's not subtle, but it is refined.
Price and Value
For what is still essentially a limited edition peated single malt from a well-known Islay producer, the pricing felt reasonable. You’re paying for experimentation here, but I don't think it’s just novelty. If you’re only after classic Laphroaig peat, this may not hit the spot entirely, but if you’re interested in seeing how a familiar character behaves under different conditions, this bottle justifies the cost. I'd consider it fair value for the craftsmanship and difference it offers.
Background
This edition of Laphroaig’s Cairdeas series marks a first for the distillery: full maturation in French oak casks. Unlike past Cairdeas expressions, which relied on finishing stages in port, madeira, or wine casks, this whisky spent its entire life in French oak—specifically, those previously used for high-quality red wine.
This shift in cask type is significant. French oak tends to impart tighter grain influence than American oak, bringing more drying tannins and spice, often with less vanilla. It’s a bold move for a distillery famous for its medicinal peat character. You can read more about their production philosophy on the official Laphroaig website.
The bottle was released as the 2023 Cairdeas edition, an annual limited run that usually tries something a bit outside the core range. Batch strength and non-chill filtered, it comes in at around 52.3% ABV.
Final Notes
Would I reach for this bottle again? Probably, though I wouldn’t call it an everyday sipper. It’s something I’d open on a quiet evening when I wanted to pay attention to what I’m drinking. Would I recommend this to someone new to peated whisky? Not straight away—this is more for someone who already knows what Laphroaig tastes like and is curious to see how it can be reshaped.
As for how it compares to other Islay bottlings—it’s less briny than some Kilchoman or Caol Ila expressions, and more oak-driven than Ardbeg’s standard releases. It’s definitely different from Laphroaig’s core 10, which is brighter and more aggressively peated. In that sense, this Cairdeas feels more mature, both in age and attitude.
And if you’re wondering when best to open this kind of bottle—I’d say it suits thoughtful, quiet moments over rowdy drinking sessions. It rewards focus, and maybe even a little patience between sips.