Laphroaig Càirdeas 2013 Port Wood Edition

Ah, where do I begin with this highly sought-after whisky? I've been a Laphroaig enthusiast for about 3 years now (I've only been regularly drinking scotch for about 3.5 years). I initially had to force myself to finish my first bottle of Laphroaig (Triple Wood, incidentally), but since then, I've become a huge fan of smoky, peaty whisky. I discovered this Cairdeas Port Wood at my local, upscale whisky bar 2.5 years ago, and the owner/bartender offered me a taste. All I could say afterward was WOW, HOW DO I GET MY HANDS ON MORE OF THIS? Fast forward 2 years, and I've finally acquired 4 bottles through friends and European auctions, not to mention spending over $1000 to obtain those 4 bottles. When I see something I want.... This Cairdeas is from the 2013 Feis Ile festival. It was finished for an unspecified duration in Portuguese wine casks and offered to attending guests. This particular batch is ruby red and produces numerous tiny, oily legs in the Glencairn. After swirling, small water droplets form and quickly descend the oily sides. It's bottled at a robust 51.3% ABV and is non-chill filtered with no added color. The nose presents Laphroaig smoke alongside a hint of salty, young spirit, which then reveals a rich, grape sweetness laced with orange peel and hardly any barrel influence. The palate is initially dominated by smoke and campfire, slightly harsh but still surprisingly oily. The sweetness lingers in the background, as if waiting for an introduction, but when it arrives, it does so with considerable impact. It's thick and unexpectedly delicate, pushing the astringency aside and settling in to put on a remarkable performance. Excellent port notes emerge on the tongue around mid-sip and persist until washed away. The finish is medium in length and, thankfully, smooth. More dark berries linger, leaving a warm and cozy sensation. If there's any remaining in the Glencairn, it will tempt you to take another sip. I ranked this as the Number 1 favorite whisky for many months. Sadly, I don't think I can maintain that position due to the sheer number of excellent whiskies I've encountered, but I refuse to let it drop out of my Top 5. It remains exceptionally good. 4.5 stars, perhaps 4.75 when I feel nostalgic about trying it back in 2016. I strongly encourage seeking out a taste or a bottle. You won't be disappointed. Cheers and thank you for reading this in its entirety.

I finally obtained a sample and compared it to a 2014 Cairdeas Amontillado. The 2013 Port Wood expression shows a darker hue in the glass, presenting a rich, honeyed golden color, as anticipated from its port pipe finish. This dram leads with Laphroaig's characteristic leather, a combination of smoke and deep, earthy oil. The aroma is among the most intricate I've experienced in a scotch, with an immediate rush of scents suggesting a younger spirit, possibly 8 to 10 years old. Sweet notes include tangerine and maple syrup from the port; savory notes bring smoke, iodine, brine, and a cohesive essence I'd call 'barbecue grill.' The palate charges forward with potent intensity. It immediately hits with a blast of thick cigar smoke and further hints of young Laphroaig, like raw wood and slightly bitter sap. Fortunately, the complexity of other tastes prevents the palate from being overwhelmed by youthful flaws, and the dram's sweet notes of grape jam provide excellent balance. Once again, the interplay of smoke and sweetness reminds me of delicious honey-barbecued meat. Some sips also offer an herbal character I can't quite pinpoint. The texture is exquisite, like fluid velvet. Initially, this Port Wood offers a fantastic peaty conclusion: smoke, sweet ham, applewood-smoked bacon, and maple syrup or molasses. It evokes a Southern-style breakfast in a glass. Later sips intensify with pepperiness and woody spices. The spirit's youth becomes a bit too apparent over time, leaving slightly bitter lingering notes. This scotch underscores the importance of special or limited editions in a distillery's offerings, showcasing a different facet of Laphroaig. Not quite a 97 for me, more in the 92-95 range. Nevertheless, well done!

Another complimentary sample from the SDT (only 3 remaining), and another Laphroaig Cairdeas from a friend. This one is the 2013 edition, matured in port pipes. It's bottled at 51.3% ABV, without chill filtration and with natural color, presenting a ruby copper hue. My friend highly recommended this as the ultimate Laphroaig. Let's see if that enthusiasm holds up. The nose offers sweet, fruity port notes followed by earthy peat, but the smoke is subdued. There's a menthol-like coolness. Red plums, red grapes, and blackberries are present. Hints of caramel apples, toffee, and hazelnut are noticeable. Cold ashes, creosote, and a touch of the medicinal/bandaid characteristics Laphroaig is known for. However, it lacks deeper complexity. Adding a little water enhances sweetness and fruitiness while introducing a mineral note. The palate reveals more smoke than the nose. It's sweet with a touch of spice. The port influence isn't as strong as anticipated. Some smoky red fruits are present, but not distinctly identifiable. Pepper, oak, barrel char, sooty, and salty/briny notes emerge. Water seems to mellow everything slightly without adding new dimensions. A medium body that feels oily, coating, and mouthwatering. The finish is medium in length, smoky, medicinal, semi-sweet, and consistently mouthwatering. Apologies to my friend, but this wasn't the pinnacle of Laphroaig for me. I believe the Brodir was a superior port-finished expression. It's a quality dram with good flavor, but not worth the $230 secondary market price. Rating: 4.25. Having now sampled the 2013-2018 Cairdeas releases, and while I haven't fully reviewed the 2014, my preference order is: 1) 2014, 2) 2018, 3) a tie between 2013 & 2016, 5) 2017. Cheers

I recall hearing about the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a child and thinking how amazing it was for people to help sick kids. Fast forward 30 years, and this grown man, without any serious health issues, also had wishes. One was to try the renowned Cairdeas, preferably a good one. It wasn't Make-A-Wish that came through, but Santa, represented by a friend. He not only granted my wish but doubled it, providing two Cairdeas samples and making them larger, embodying the American 'bigger is better' philosophy. To make the journey worthwhile, he included many other fantastic items. The recipient was thrilled, having felt he hadn't been good enough to deserve anything this year, according to his wife, and frankly, he never got much when he was younger. He didn't even believe in Santa, but he was DESPERATE. He'd believe in anyone if it meant a Cairdeas sample. Normally, he made his children wait until Christmas to open presents, but he was in charge here, so if he didn't want to wait, he wouldn't. Thus began the '12 Drams of Christmas,' also known as the Santa Chronicles. This dram is fantastic. Far superior to the Brodir or whatever that pale imitation was. The recipient dreamed of a world that was pure and just, where Laphroaig would once again produce great spirits. But as we all know, once the marketing department gets involved, the quality gets diluted. This is a superb dram, easily making the top 10 for 2019!

Whisky Friday....finally time for my end-of-week Dram!!! Tonight's pour is a sample generously shared by Modern Drinking---much appreciated!! I believe I've discovered the ultimate whisky combination: peat and port. They complement each other perfectly. This is unquestionably the finest Cairdeas I've sampled; while all are quite good, this one truly stands out. The aroma presents plums and cigar smoke, a scent I could enjoy indefinitely. The taste is a velvety fruit-forward experience with a solid foundation of smoke and ash. The smoke harmonizes wonderfully with the port finish, neither overpowering the other, creating a perfect synergy. These are likely no longer available, making this sample even more valuable. My sincere thanks again to Modern Drinking for this opportunity.

I had the chance to sample this rare find at Delilah’s bar in Chicago last month. I can confirm that it lives up to the buzz! It's absolutely PHENOMENAL! I gave Laphroaig Brodir 5 stars, so to do this one justice, I should be able to award it at least 6 stars! Similar to Brodir, peat and red fruits are the primary components, but while they were somewhat blended in Brodir, here each note can be distinctly identified, very clear. It feels almost magical! For me, it was the best of the evening, without question, closely followed by the Kilchoman Delilah’s /Jack Rose finished in Sauternes, which isn't listed here, also a 5-star.