(Image Source: TTB, Wine Enthusiast Magazine)

An annual favorite that fans always look forward to - Laphroaig's Cairdeas (pronounced car-duhss) looks like its going to feature a White Port and Madeira finish!

Cairdeas actually means “friendship” in Gaelic and was first released in 2008, quickly becoming a hit with fans – call it Laphroaig’s little inside joke. It’s been released annually since then, with each year’s Cairdeas expression unique from the next. This keeps things exciting as it’s much more experimental and keeps fans salivating, wondering what’s to come next year.

With the front and back labels revealed, we now know that Laphroaig has in store for us a new expression that will see it be composed of three quarters finished in second-fill Madeira casks "to release a complex richness", with a final quarter to come from first-fill Port casks for its "sweet, woody notes".

(Image Source: TTB)

From the labels we're also told that this next Cairdeas expression will be bottled at 52.3% ABV.

Our Take

We're always found that Laphroaig, even amongst the Islay giants, is very much a love 'em or hate 'em distillery, given its incredibly distinctive house style with intense herbaceousness, smoke and salinity - exceptionally heavily peated, even often compared to bitter medicine or a burning bandages. Yet, obviously it is not without one of the most vibrant and largest fanbases for any Scotch.

That said, the Cairdeas has always been one to look forward to as this wildcard has never disappointed. In fact, many fans love showcasing the spectrum of colors that each year's Cairdeas is themed in! 

Past iterations of Port finishing have been exceptionally well-received, and with this combination of White Port and Madeira, there's no reason to think it wouldn't be just as enjoyable. Sweet wines finishings have always been a great pairing with Laphroaig's otherwise bitter, smoky herbaceousness.

Definitely looking forward to this one!

Kanpai!

@111hotpot