Review: Laphroaig Cairdeas 2013

History

World renown Islay distillery Laphroaig is one of the best selling brands in the USA. Each year Master Distiller John Campbell handcrafts a special Festival Bottling named Cairdeas which means friendship in Gaelic. This years 2013 edition was initially aged in ex-bourbon casks then finished in an ex port cask. The result is a unique Laphroaig that has a distinct pink appearance. This limited edition release sold out immediately (within hours) in Europe, it only recently became available in the States. The spirit is bottled at a cask strength 51.3% and is not chill filtered.

See detailed history of Laphroaig here.

Tasting Notes

Nose: antiseptic, lacks smokiness from most Laphroaigs, sweet port, waxy, undeniable sweetness, orange peels, potpourri, grapefruit, raisins

Mouth: bright, luscious, full bodied, smooth, starts sweet, sweet raspberry jam, honey, smokiness at end, peppery at end

Finish: spicy, salty, bitter, smoky, tannins, dark red cherries, hickory wood chips, lingers for about five minutes

Score: 87/100

Verdict: Cairdeas 2013 is a very unique Laphroaig. First off, it’s pink which is strange for any whisky. Secondly, the spirit is finished in a port cask which is unusual for Laphroaig since the distillery usually strays from using sherry casks. The result is a pleasantly surprising malt which displays Laphroaig’s beastly peaty style tempered by a layer of sweetness. The nose starts out with Laphroaig’s signature antiseptic scent but quickly gives way to orange peels, grapefruit, potpourri and raisins. If you were tasting blind you would not initially think this spirit is from Laphroaig. On the mouth the dram is bright, full bodied and lusciously smooth. Sweet raspberry jam and honey rise to the forefront of your palate. The finish is peppery, salty, drying and slightly smoky. An unmistakable hickory wood chip flavor lingers on the tongue for a solid five minutes after swallowing. This dram makes me wish Laphroaig would experiment more with sherry casks. Laphroaig once again proves that their highly anticipated Cairdeas limited releases are worthwhile. Supplies are running out quickly, so act quickly and snatch up a bottle of history.