Laphroaig PX Cairdeas & Sherry Oak 10 Year Reviewed

Today we’re going to take a look at two new sherried expressions coming from Laphroaig. The 2021 PX Cairdeas ($100-$120) and the 10-year Sherry Oak Finish ($70-$90) are currently both on store shelves. They will also be the final Laphroaig release by their Distillery Manager, John Campbell, who is leaving the company sometime this month to, “take up a new challenge at an independent distillery company.” I’ll go ahead and say that by releasing these two, he went out with a bang! The PX Cairdeas (remember it’s pronounced somewhere between “gorgeous” and “car chase”) is a limited-edition malt meant to celebrate the Friends of Laphroaig (“Càirdeas” means “friendship” in Gaelic). It was triple matured in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels, followed by quarter casks and finally in European oak hogsheads containing PX sherry. This is meant to create a complex expression that is full of character and is bottled at cask strength (117.8 proof) to ensure rich and intricate flavors. The Laphroaig 10 Year Sherry Oak Finish takes the bold flavors of the standard 10 year and adds a touch of sweetens from the finishing in Oloroso sherry casks to “round the edges” a bit. Each European oak sherry cask was carefully selected and chosen to complement and lend complexity to their quintessential single malt. I have to agree that they hand selected the casks, since I get very clean sherry without even a hint of sulphur. So, let’s try them side-by-side and give John Campbell a tip of the cap for a job well done.
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As of November 2021, my current bottle count is over 2,600. I am a Certified Specialist of Spirits and have also been accredited by the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT). I've been actively collecting for more than two decades and what started as a small basic home bar has transformed (with the help and understanding of my wonderful wife) into this collection and career. Speaking of my career, our new “Saints Alley Bourbons” have hit Total Wine shelves and they've been popular! We just finished bottling Batch 2, and given my knowledge and high standards, you know I’m working hard with my team to keep giving you some amazing releases! Thanks for watching and remember to please drink responsibly. Cheers!

[@jimidrammer4187]

Already had the 10yo Sherry Cask, picked up the 2021 Cairdeas PX today! 10yo C/S batch #013 is out also. John Campbell is now Master Blender at Lochlea Lowland Distillery, closer to his family.

[@LitoCortes]

A review I was really looking forward to. I've seen both of these on the shelf but didn't want pull the trigger until I saw a thorough breakdown and that you did. I'm now ready to bring these puppies home. Cheers! 🥃

[@jeffmill999]

Liquor Hound is the man to get indepth analysis from...that is for sure!

[@dwayner163]

I brought the Cairdeas last Sat and took it home and had a glass. I agree with every part of your review. I just wish it had a longer finish. That being said, immediately went back out and brought 2 more bottles. It’s that damn good. Thanks for the review!

[@ABRAVERICK1]

Thank you for making this video!!! You are a true professional.

[@LiquorHound]

Thank you and cheers! 🥃

[@larrydayag4330]

Most detailed b2b comparison/review i have ever seen. Slainte mhath!

[@scottyblog]

The Cairdeas releases are wonderful. Some still out there but not exactly an easy find.

[@BaneOfXistence4]

12:50 "Stop trying to be..." I'm guessing you were going to say Ardbeg? 🤣

[@jacksudar6721]

Would love if you did a blended/vatted malt video of your favorites of that category.

[@vafan13]

I still really lament the loss of Laphroaig 18. Was easily my favorite regular-production scotch. I bought 7 when they announced the discontinuation. Still have 1.5 bottle and will be really sad when it's finally gone.

[@garrettpeek3551]

Great review, 100% agree on all points. Bought 3 bottles of the Caideas, 1 for company 1 for me 1 for a friend :)

[@travisfaircloth]

The sherry & peat style of scotch needs more attention. I really like heavy sherried Caol Ilas like the Adelphi bottlings but yeah that Cairdeas PX is very good! I think it needs some water though. I haven't tried the 10yr sherry yet but planning on it. Cheers Chris!

[@PhatTrumpet2]

I was lucky enough to find the Cairdeas at around the same price as the 10-year sherry. Didn't really know what to think of it at as it initially seemed a bit unbalanced, but it has opened up nicely over the last couple months.

[@jdugz9379]

Great review! I have the Laphroaig 25 year 2013, 2014, and 2015 (black labels) still available in my area. All at the same price. Any recommendation / your order of choice for those? Think they are worth $500?

[@LiquorHound]

Wow, that’s a nice option to have. It’s a tad steep, but I don’t see them getting any cheaper. Thank you for watching and cheers!

[@malcolmgeffon8072]

Thoroughly enjoyed the review. I just bought the Cairdeas and was waiting to open it. Perhaps I’ll go back for another bottle to save for the future. I haven’t seen the Sherry Oak by me.

[@LiquorHound]

That’s not a bad idea! Cheers!

[@tonyv7109]

How about a Pappy flight tasting for the Holidays? A little throwback…

[@enricojaun2880]

I know a few places that have these both in stock for near $100... very tempting! Just got ardbeg eugdaeil, i like it, but it packs a punch for a bourbon guy dabbling in peated scotch!

[@Bermyisle]

Hi, love your content. How do these compare to the PX Cask (litre bottle) which you reviewed a while back. It seems they are all closely related. Is the Cairdeas just cask strength PX Cask?

[@LiquorHound]

I just did a side by side with that one and these two last week. The PX 1 liter is in the same profile, but much more subtle and just feels like a good drinker compared to these (which have more going on). Thank you and cheers!

[@jeffmill999]

@@LiquorHound You just answered my question. I found a dusty PX liter last year...not surprised Laphroig took it up a knotch..

[@TheSoteriologist]

My favorite distillery ! Will open my first of four bottles of the 18 yo _(purchased in 2015)_ in a few weeks.

[@LiquorHound]

That’s great! Enjoy them and cheers!

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

Greetings from Belgium. I do find it better that the standard ones for me. Great review.

[@timthewhiskynut477]

Another great review! Sounds like these are a serious bargain over there. Curious about you saying Laphroaig can be a little too experimental - any examples where you thought they'd gone too far?

[@LiquorHound]

Thank you! To be honest, their Fino and the Madeira Cairdeas releases weren’t where I hoped they’d be. And their Port & Wine one could have done without the wine casks. Cheers!

[@timthewhiskynut477]

Ah, I see! Definitely agree on the Port & Wine, although I didn't mind the Madeira and enjoyed the Fino. See your point though, Laphroaig doesn't need fancy treatment to be amazing!

[@dramyankee2914]

Greetings Chris, A little belated in writing this note, however, this offering is just now dropping on the west coast. Had the Cairdeas Triple Wood, which was delicious, so based on your review, I'm snaggin' a few of these. Once again, thank you SO MUCH for sitting down with by brother-in-law (Kelvin) and I at Ironroot Republic and tasting through the Saints Alley line-up. Kelvin and I would love to stop by the house next time I'm in town, as I believe you live close to him in the Ft Worth Area. Cheers All!

[@LiquorHound]

You’re welcome! Happy New Year and cheers! 🥃

[@kyledavid91]

The SMWS cask strength Laphroaigs are outstanding - glad they didn’t lower the proof on this one

[@Hogibaer]

Hi Hound, tried both and must say that - cask strength favoritism aside - I like the 10 sherry oak finish better. Can't seem to warm up with this year's Cairdeas, in a way it's too flat of a PX finish for me, not refined/complex and elegant enough like e.g. the 10 cask strength often is. Maybe it's the youth after all. If I'd get the 10 sherry oak finish @ cask strength, I'd be a really happy man. So if you ever come to Berlin, Germany, we can gladly swap one of my closed Cairdeases for sth else. Cheers, mate. :-)

[@LiquorHound]

There’s no wrong answers. Thank you for the comment and cheers!

[@Le_Trouvere]

Does anyone know which to get if you want more of the sherry flavour?

[@LiquorHound]

I’d say the PX holds those notes the longest. The Sherry 10 does well for a while, but then starts fading. Cheers!