New Release: Laphroaig Official Càirdeas for Friends of Laphroaig and Feis Ile 2017 57.2%

A high-proof quarter cask that is rarely available to drink. Laphroaig LAPHROAIG OB CAIRDEAS for FRIENDS OF LAPHROAIG and FEIS ILE 2017 57.2% The aroma has orange, grapefruit, vanilla, rich oak with a woody sensation, dry nuts, seafood stock, and strong peat with iodine. When drinking it is powerful, with strong vanilla, orange, faint pineapple, malty umami, sweet and rich oak, a bit of woodiness, seafood stock-like notes, strong peat with iodine, and a long finish. [Good/Very Good] In recent years, this official bottle 'Càirdeas' has been released around the time of the Islay Festival, also serving as a festival bottle for Friends of Laphroaig (though the quantity is large and ultimately available worldwide). This year's Càirdeas was a cask strength version of the standard quarter cask. It has the citrusy fruitiness characteristic of Laphroaig, with strong peat and rich oak notes. However, I particularly noticed a pronounced woody nuance reminiscent of the quarter cask. Nevertheless, for those who regularly enjoy and appreciate it, this cask strength version is certainly of great value.