Laphroaig Cairdeas PX Casks / Feis Ile 2021
Sometimes referred to as the most richly flavoured of all Scotch whiskies, Laphroaig is one of the most iconic island distilleries. With its smoky and iodine flavours, Laphroaig embodies the Islay identity.
Although the exact etymology isn’t known, Laphroaig is said to mean “broad hollow by the bay” in Gaelic. This references its location, a small basin on Islay’s southern coast. However, it officially operated under the business name of D. Johnston & Co throughout most of its history after Donald and Alexander Johnston, who in 1815 founded their distillery on the island’s south coast.
Cairdeas, pronounced [car-chuss] means “friendship” in Gaelic. These are released annually as distillery exclusives and for the Friends of Laphroaig group. Some early releases were labelled as Feis Ile exclusives and although this is no longer expressly stated, due to the time of year in which they become available, they are still considered as spiritual Fèis Ìle releases.
The Càirdeas for 2021 was matured Triple Matured – Ex-Bourbon Barrel followed by Quarter Casks followed by European Oak Perdo Ximenes Hogsheads.
Fèis Ìle, also known as the Islay Festival of Music and Malt had humble beginnings. It traces it origins back to 1985 and the establishment of The Islay Festival Association after it was realised that an event celebrating Gaelic, music and culture would drive tourism to the island. The inaugural event was two weeks of music, drama and workshops with ceilidhs, concerts and dances in the evening. The first whisky tasting took place as a festival event in 1990, and ten years later the island’s distilleries began to be directly involved, organising their annual open days to coincide with it. Today it is one of the biggest events on the whisky calendar, annually drawing hundreds of revellers, and turning out an increasingly sought-after batch of limited edition whiskies like this.
Nose: Nutty and sweet with notes of pine tar, strong almond and marzipan, hazelnut and praline, stewed apple and toffee but also cherries, gooseberries and cinnamon.
Taste: Smoky and peaty with slightly ashy notes of cured ham and grilled bacon but also sweet and fruity flavours of Manuka honey, liquorice roots, but also cooked apples, malt and oak spices.
Finish: Still hot and spicy, with a touch of sea salt and dried seaweed.
