Laphroaig Cairdeas Cask Strength Quarter Cask / Feis Ile 2017

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 Feis Ile releases.

The 2017 Feis Ile offering from Laphroaig was a cask strength edition of the Quarter Cask. The idea behind quarter cask maturation is that the smaller the cask, the more wood is in contact with the whisky leading to more maturation/flavours.
Fully matured in American oak in Laphroaig's Warehouse No.1.

    Nose:    Peat smoke with vanilla, maritime notes, herbs and oak aromas.

    Taste:    Smoke with maritime notes, citrus fruits, vanilla and oak aromas.

    Finish:    Long with citrus, peat smoke, vanilla maritime notes and oak flavours.