Laphroaig Brodir is the travel-retail-only replacement for my much beloved Laphroaig Cairdeas 2013. The original was took my breath away and sent me stumbling to the floor in pure joy. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it did make me stare at the glass and quietly say “damn” after each sniff and sip.
In Laphroaig’s Words: Laphroaig Brodir
“…Laphroaig Brodir (“brother” in ancient Norse), celebrates Scotland’s long connection with the Nordic region and culture. It is made from double-matured Laphroaig, beginning with a first maturation in ex-bourbon barrels, followed by a second maturation in European oak casks seasoned with Ruby Port. It is the combination of woods and the influence of port that add complexity to this expression…”
There have been many mind blowing peaty drams since that 2013 Cairdeas, but it’ll always hold a special place for me as the first to truly display the brutal elegance that can created with a well balanced combo of peat and sweet. Which makes me all the more excited to finally sit down and do a proper Laphroaig Brodir review and compare it to my notes of the original. So here we go!
Laphroaig Brodir Info
Region: Islay, Scotland
Distiller: Laphroaig
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon & ex-Port
Age: NAS
ABV: 48%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Batch: 002
Price: $125
Laphroaig Brodir Review
EYE
Purplish caramel
NOSE
Wine sweetness, peat, burnt plastic, oily nuts, toffee and light bits of dried apricot and cinnamon. It’s a heavy full aroma.
PALATE
Grapey wine sweetness, peat, burnt plastic, candied plums and camphor with light notes of toffee, cinnamon and dried fruit. The palate seems to evolve the more it sits and airs out. Quite tasty.
FINISH
Long waves of peat, dried dark fruit, saline, port sweetness, camphor and cinnamon.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, round full body and a heavy syrupy feel.
OVERALL
The Laphroaig Brodir (batch 002) is an elegant Laphroaig. The aroma isn’t wildly complex, but it’s rich, meaty, heavy and I love just sitting and sniffing it. The Palate has more going on, but doesn’t come across as rich as the aroma. The finish is a long conversation between sweet and savory and is definitely my favorite part of this whisky.
Laphroaig Brodir might not be as complex and dynamic as the 2013 Cairdeas, which remains one of my favorite whiskies, but it’s a decent substitute. Sure we’d all rather have the original, but it’s not coming back. So if you enjoyed the 2013, and happen to traveling abroad, I’d recommend picking up a bottle of the Laphroaig Brodir to help cope with your ’13 Cairdeas withdrawals.
SCORE: 89/100 (B+)
Big thanks to Brett for the sample!