Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 was first released at this year’s Fèis Ìle and that’s when the rumblings about something new and interesting coming from Laphroaig began. From there I kept reading reports about how phenomenal this whisky was as it rolled in from the East Coast and then those reports of its awesomeness stopped for several months somewhere in the mid-west. It did this because CA and the West Coast didn’t get their shipment in until fairly recently. I don’t know the exact reason why, but since the Laphroaig 15 years still hasn’t shown up in CA I’m guessing it’s a distributor thing.
As with all Cairdeas releases the Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 has something unique about it and this time around that uniqueness is the fact that it was created using 100% Laphroaig floor malted barley and matured completely in Warehouse #1 which is the famous sea-neighboring warehouse. Even though Laphroaig still has a malting floor it’s so small in comparison to how much they need that each batch of Laphroaig only contains about 20% of their own floor malted barley with the rest coming from Port Ellen maltings. This use of 100% Laphroaig floor malted barley, and being distilled on their smallest stills, gives us a glimpse into what the Laphroaig of old might have tasted like… ah the good old days.
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 Info
Region: Isaly, Scotland
Distiller: Laphroaig
Mashbill: 100% Malted Barley
Cask: ex-Bourbon (Maker’s Mark barrels)
Age: NAS (approx. 11 3/4 years was given at a recent tasting)
ABV: 48%
PPM: 80
Price: $85
Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 Review
EYE
Inky yellow
NOSE
Oily nuts, peat, malt and fruity sweetness make a lovely combo. A combo which can, and in this case is, enhanced by notes of cocoa, brine and a light bit of dark sweets.
PALATE
The flavor meanders across the palate carrying a bag of peat, french toast, fruit, butterscotch heavy dark sweets and a bit of citrus. A dark earthy undertone builds during its journey and pops a bit towards the end.
FINISH
Long and earthy with nice notes of toasted nuts, smoke, fruit and dark candy sweetness showing up along the way.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Nicely balanced, full body and a velvety texture.
OVERALL
Next to the famous purple Laphroaig this is my favorite of the Cairdeas releases and brings a completely unique character to the modern Laphroaig lineup. Laphroaig Cairdeas 2015 is tasty, it’s expressive and it has an X factor to it that makes me happy to sit, sniff and sip.
It has a different aspect to it than the current Laphroaig releases and I’m thoroughly enjoying it, bringing a different approach and dimension to a whisky I’ve known and loved for years. Definitely a keeper and I plan on picking up a couple more bottles of it if I’m able to track them down here in SoCal.
SCORE: 91/100
