Laphroaig – Cairdeas Ileach Edition 2011 (70cl, 50.5%)

Laphroaig Cairdeas Ileach Edition 2011 is a single malt Scotch whisky from Laphroaig distillery on Islay. It is the 2011 Ileach edition of Cairdeas, in a 70cl bottle at 50.5% ABV. The nose is medicinal, coastal peat smoke with iodine and tar, softened by green apple, stewed pear and lemon, along with vanilla, menthol, honey and a little liquorice. The palate starts light and sweet, then turns very oily and buttery, with salty peat smoke, white pepper and ginger, followed by banana, chocolate, orange peel, aniseed and toasted oak. The finish is medium to long, dry and smoky, with ashy peat, mineral and liquorice notes, a slight woody bitterness and lingering fruity sweetness.