Introduction

I’ve always had a soft spot for Laphroaig’s Càirdeas releases. They tend to offer something distinct from the distillery’s core expressions—some twist on the typical house style that keeps things interesting. When I heard the 2023 edition was matured entirely in French oak casks, a first for Laphroaig, I was genuinely intrigued. Their standard American oak profile is so iconic that I was curious how their intense smoky character would interact with the richer tannins and different structure of French oak.

Nose

Right from the pour, the nose came through dense and savoury. I picked up the classic Laphroaig medicinal peat—bandages, antiseptic cream—but it was slightly toned down and sitting beneath richer, darker influences. There was a strong oak presence that reminded me of toasted rye bread and cigar box. I also caught some notes of grilled apple, clove, and a faint smoked meat aroma that added depth. It's markedly less sweet than many of their sherryed or bourbon-matured alternatives, leaning more into earthy complexity.

Palate

The first sip came in big and full-bodied, impressively warming without being overly hot. The French oak really steps forward here—loads of dry spice, cracked black pepper, and worn leather. The peat is characteristically bold but integrated, not shouting over everything else. I got some espresso bitterness, salted almonds, and a hint of dried plum underneath it all. There’s a leathery dryness running through the palate that gives the dram a very grown-up, structured profile. Mouthfeel was moderately oily, holding those dark and savoury notes in place quite well.

Finish

This isn’t a short goodbye. The finish lingered with dry wood smoke and a touch of coastal salt, like sea spray on an old pier. Some late bitterness, maybe from the oak tannins, crept in toward the end, but it never became unpleasant. There’s also a slight return of that grilled fruit note from the nose, tucked beneath the heavier elements. It felt very much in line with the whisky’s overall tone: dry, mature, and nuanced.

Price and Value

At the price point it landed, this bottle felt worth the experience, though I wouldn't call it an everyday pour. It's a distinctive take on Laphroaig’s peat-forward identity, and for fans of the brand or collectors of Càirdeas bottlings, it’s certainly worth the spend. If you’re someone who looks for variety within a familiar theme, this year's edition offers something quite different without straying too far.

Background

Laphroaig, based on Islay’s stormy southern coast, is well-known for its intense peat smoke and medicinal profile that tends to polarise whisky drinkers. The Càirdeas line—named after the Gaelic word for “friendship”—is released annually, often as a limited bottling for fans and members of their Friends of Laphroaig programme.

The 2023 version marks the first time the distillery has used 100% French oak casks for maturation. This is a notable shift, as French oak tends to be denser and imparts more tannin and spice compared to the American white oak typically used in Scotch whisky. It’s an interesting evolution that still manages to feel anchored in Laphroaig’s DNA. You can read more about their process and philosophy on the Laphroaig website.

Final Notes

Would I get another bottle? Probably not for everyday use, but I could see myself revisiting it for special evenings where I want something dry and complex that encourages slow sipping. It’s an expression I appreciated more the second and third time around.

Is this a good entry point to Laphroaig or to heavily peated whiskies in general? Honestly, not really. This one is more refined and specialised—better suited to someone who already knows what they’re getting into with Islay peat. For beginners, I’d recommend something like Laphroaig 10 before stepping into this.

I found that it pairs best with quiet moments—maybe late in the evening, or during colder months when its depth and dry heft feel more at home. Compared to other Islay whiskies matured in French oak (which are quite rare), this leans more on clarity of cask influence than on peat aggression.