Released during Fèis Ìle 2015 and marking the distillery's 200th anniversary, for this special edition of Laphroaig Cairdeas Master Distiller John Campbell used 100% floor malted barley (from the distillery's own small malting floor) and used only the two smaller, older stills during distillation before maturing the whisky in bourbon casks.
This bottle was part of a private collection - if you'd like more detailed info and/or photos just get in touch!
This is an amazing whisky - Best I've ever tasted. It's got the distinctive Laphroaig taste but more rounded complex and richer.
40 years in as a single malt aficionado and I am still unable to identify all of the numerous flavours apparently resident in various whiskeys, as identified by those with perhaps more sophisticated palates than my own. I just can't seem to find 20 distinct flavours in anything I drink, but I know what I like. I've been a fan of Islay whiskeys for perhaps the last 20 years or so, and have the good fortune of owning 30 or so bottles of various releases of Laphroaig, Lagavulin,Caol Isla, Ardbeg, Bruichladdie etc. I was able to buy 2 bottles of the 200th anniversary edition of Cairdeas. I have enjoyed several of the more readily accessible Laphroaig offerings over the years. The 10 year old is still one of the most distinctive whiskeys sold, but the quarter cask, triple wood and 15 year old are also stand alone products. This 200th anniversary Cairdeas is different than all of the others mentioned. The colour is lighter than most Laphroaig offerings, reminiscent of a 15 year old Dalwhinnie. The nose has notes of citrus, far less iodine (but some) than typical for a Laphroaig, less smoky (peaty?)and possibly a bit antiseptic or medicinal. It hits the tongue with a spicy heat, but is nonetheless civilized and goes down smoothly, with little burn. The finish lingers and changes and eventually loses the initially oiliness to settle in with the a hint of orange peel. This whiskey reminds me of a 15 year old Caol Ila distillers edition I bought about 10 ears ago (there's still half a bottle left in the cabinet). While it is a departure from the traditional thick flavour of most Laphroaigs I am familiar with, it doesn't really stand alone, given it's similarity to my Caol Ila. I suspect that there were similarities in the processes and materials used to distil early Islay whiskeys, and for that reason, the Cairdeas isn't unique, as a whiskey, but is as a Laphroaig. That said, I'm glad I bought 2 bottles, but I think I'd enjoy a triple wood as much or more than the Cairdeas.
forgot to give star rating
This is the best i've had of laphroaig to date. I am just not sure why it is listed at $279 a bottle when this is $75-$90 usd everywhere else.
