Laphroaig has unveiled its 2021 Cáirdeas bottling. This year’s edition of the annual bottling was finished in a Pedro Ximénez cask.
The Laphroaig 2021 Cáirdeas edition is triple matured in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels, followed by quarter casks and finally in European oak hogsheads containing PX sherry. Created by Laphroaig distillery manager John Campbell, the whisky has been made to celebrate the “friends of Laphroaig.”
Bottled at cask strength, the Scotch offers aromas of grilled bacon, manuka honey, and oak spices. On the palate, it delivers nutty notes combined with a blend of toffee and cinnamon. The finish is described as hot, spicy and salty.
“I am so excited to announce the launch of our 2021 Càirdeas edition, finished in European oak hogsheads containing PX Sherry,” said Campbell. “We are so happy that we can celebrate the loyalty of our Laphroaig whisky enthusiasts with a new, special edition bottle.”
The 58.9% ABV Laphroaig 2021 Cáirdeas edition will be available to purchase beginning July 1 on Laphroaig’s official website. It is priced at £89.90 ($127 USD) per 700ml bottle.
The whisky has been unveiled ahead of the second virtual iteration of Islay’s Féis Íle Festival, which runs from May 28 through June 6. Laphroaig’s Féis Íle events will be held on June 1, and will include an online tour of the Islay distillery and a virtual demonstration of whisky cocktails.
In March, Laphroaig added a 10 Years Old Sherry Oak whisky to its core range. The new offering follows a recent trend from the Islay distillery started by the October launch of the Ian Hunter Story Book Two 30 Year Old Whisky, which has aged for three decades in Spanish Oak Oloroso Sherry casks.
Laphroaig 10 Years Old Sherry Oak was matured in refill oloroso Sherry and American oak ex-Bourbon casks, before finishing for 12 to 18 months in European oak oloroso Sherry casks.
