Laphroaig Cairdeas Feis Ile 2016

Thanks to my good friend Chris Lauriers – whisky ambassador for Belgium – I have the opportunity to try no less than 10 – ten! – Feis Ile bottlings from Laphroaig in a row from 2007 until 2016. This is going to be a trip to remember.

This is the 2016 release, finished on Madeira casks, hence the red tube.

WTF? Wat a weird nose. Wine vinegar, chocolate, peat smoke… a strange mix to be sure. I must admit that I am far from convinced.

It is creamy on the palate. Loads of ashes. Soon I get something sweet – well hidden behind a smokescreen (see what I did there?) – from berries, pineapple and even some litchi. Quite good and interesting, but does need some getting used to.

The finish is very, very long, but again a tad weird. Towards the end it becomes quite bitter and leaves the mouth parched.

A Weirdo Laffie is you ask me. Truth be told: not for me.

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