Name: Laphroaig Cairdeas 2018
Type: Single Malt Whiskey
Origin: Scotland
ABV: 51.8%
Price: $75.00 per bottle from my local liquor store
Every year around this time, Laphroaig releases their Cairdeas blend to the general public. Cairdeas, or friendship in Gaelic, has been an expression from Laphroaig that I have had the pleasure to enjoy the last several years thanks to a certain musical group I play with. At my latest liquor store trip last weekend, I happened to see this available once again. It was an instant purchase and was more than happy to give it a proper review.
This year’s Cairdeas is doubly finished in both ex-Bourbon casks as well as ex-Fino (dry Sherry) casks. To my knowledge, this is my first whiskey finished in a Fino cask. The color on the whiskey I would consider a darker gold than what I would remember from past versions of the Cairdeas. The nose on this year’s Cairdeas brought me faint notes of cinnamon, peat, smoke and caramel. After some consumption, I came up with the following notes regarding each part of the palette. The front of the palette brought toffee and peat notes while the back end of the palette brought heavy peat, cinnamon and saltwater. What impressed me the most with this year’s Cairdeas was the finish. The finish, while very smooth and easy drinking, was the longest of any whiskey that I have enjoyed in a very long time. Those campfire, peaty notes that are synonymous with Islay whiskey were front and center as expected but they kept lingering on and on well after the whiskey vanished from the glass.
All in all, for me being a huge Laphroaig fan, this was one of my favorite Laphroaig expressions that I have enjoyed in a long time. Because of the long finish and it being a more-than-typical Islay whiskey, this year’s Cairdeas may not be for everyone. For all of you Islay drinkers out there, you definitely need to check it out. Like several Islay whiskies, the Cairdeas should be paired with a full bodied cigar to help counterbalance the flavors from the whiskey.
Final Score: 9.25/10
Thank you very much for reading and I look forward to the next time I can share my thoughts with you.
