Laphroaig Càirdeas 2013 Port Wood Edition

Another bonus sample from the SDT (only 3 to go), and another Laphroaig Cairdeas from @LeeEvolved. This time we have the 2013 version that was finished in port pipes. Bottled at 51.3% ABV and is non chill filtered and natural color of a ruby copper. This one has been built up by Lee as the be all end all Laphroaig. Let’s see how his enthusiasm holds up. The nose is juicy and fruity port notes that lead into earthy peat, but a restrained smoke. A menthol-like cooling sensation. Red plums, red grapes and blackberries. Definite notes of caramel apples, toffee and hazelnut. Cold ashes, creosote and a little of the medicinal/bandaid notes that Laphroaig is known for. As far as deeper complexity is concerned, it’s just not there. A little water allows for a bit more sweetness and fruitiness but also brings out a mineral note. The palate has much more smoke than on the nose. Sweet with a little spice as well. The port notes are not as strong here as I would have expected. Some smoky red fruits, but nothing too discernible. Pepper, oak, barrel char, sooty and salty/briny. Water just seems to tone everything down a bit without adding anything else. A medium bodied mouthfeel that is oily, mouth coating and mouthwatering. The finish is medium long, smoky, medicinal, semisweet and mouthwatering throughout. Sorry Lee, but this was not the king of the proverbial Laphroaig hill. I personally think the Brodir was the better of the port finishes. Good quality here and full of flavor, but not worth the secondary market price of $230. 4.25. I’ve now had the 2013-2018 Cairdeas and though I’ve yet to properly review the 2014, I would rate them in this order: 1) 2014, 2) 2018, 3) a tie between the 2013 & 2016, 5) 2017. Cheers

Ah, where do I begin with this white whale of a whisky? I’ve been a fan of Laphroaig for about 3 years now (I’ve only been regularly drinking scotch for about 3.5 years). I had to force myself to drink through my first bottle of Laphroaig (Triple Wood, btw), but since then I have been a huge fan of smoky, peaty whisky. I stumbled across this Cairdeas Port Wood at my local, high end whisky bar 2.5 years ago and the owner/bartender offered me a pour. All I could say afterwards was WOW, HOW DO I GET MY HANDS ON MORE OF THIS? Flash forward 2 years and I’ve finally landed 4 bottles through friends and European auctions- not to mention spent over $1000 to acquire those 4 bottles. When I see something I want.... This Cairdeas is from the 2013 Feis Isle festival. It was finished for an undisclosed amount of time in Portuguese wine casks and offered to attending guests. This particular batch is ruby red and makes lots of tiny, oily legs in the Glencairn. After a spin tiny water droplets form and quickly run down the oily sides. It’s bottled at a robust 51.3% ABV and is NCF’d with no added color. The nose is Laphroaig smoke with a side of salty, young spirit that releases a rich, grape sweetness that’s riddled with orange peel and almost no barrel influence. The palate is initially heavy on the smoke and campfire, slightly harsh but still surprisingly oily. The sweetness hangs back as though it’s waiting to be announced before entering the room, but when it does, boy does it come on strong. It’s thick and surprisingly delicate as it forces the astringency off the side of the stage and just settles in and puts on a good show. Excellent port notes dance around on the tongue beginning at mid sip and continue until you wash them away. The finish is medium length and (thankfully) smooth. More dark berries hang around leaving you feeling all warm and cozy. If there’s more in the Glencairn it’ll coerce you into going in for more. I had this ranked at Number 1 on my favorite whisky list for months and months. Sadly, I don’t think I can keep it there because I’ve so many great whiskies at this point, but I refuse to let it slip out of my Top 5. It’s still so damn good. 4.5 stars, maybe 4.75 when I’m feeling nostalgic about trying this back in 2016. I highly recommend trying to find a pour or a bottle. You won’t be disappointed. Cheers and thanks for reading this all the way through.