Laphroaig Unveils Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks, the Latest Release in its Annual Series

07 July 2020

Laphroaig Unveils Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks, the Latest Release in its Annual Series

CHICAGO – [July 7, 2020] Laphroaig Distillery, Islay’s top single malt scotch producer, announces the latest release in the limited-edition Càirdeas series – Laphroaig Càirdeas Port & Wine Casks. A celebration of the camaraderie and spirit of Islay, the 2020 expression is crafted with two types of red wine barrels and continues the distillery’s long history of innovation and commitment to excellence. The name Càirdeas comes from the Gaelic word for “friendship,” a feeling that Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell crafted into the new bottling.

“I’m excited to release this year’s Càirdeas bottling, an expression that has such a distinct and exciting flavor profile,” said Laphroaig Distillery Manager John Campbell. “With this release, we want to give our friends and fans an enticing scotch that adopts additional flavor from the barrels, while keeping the iconic Laphroaig taste profile in the liquid.”

Laphroaig Càirdeas Port & Wine Casks is a marriage of fully matured second-fill Ruby Port Barriques and ex-bourbon barrels finished in red wine casks. The whisky has aromas of dark chocolate and menthol with pink peppercorns, with notes of toasted peaches, charred marshmallows, and a hint of plum jam on the palate. This is woven with Laphroaig’s iodine rich peat smoke, resulting in a combination of honey sweet taste and its signature medicinal smoke flavor.

Càirdeas Port & Wine Casks Tasting Notes:

Appearance: Rose Gold
Nose: Rich plums to start, drifting into white chocolate notes and onto huge maple-syrupy notes. Lovely earthy, peaty flavors and slight saltiness to end
Palate: Initial taste of black smoky Lapsang Souchong tea moves into dried apricots with rich date flavors in background but lingering all the way through. Macadamia nuts, then a hint of marmalade, marshmallows then dry and a lovely peaty salty aftertaste that evolves with the lingering creamy sign off.

Laphroaig Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks will be bottled at 52% ABV. Its suggested retail price is $99.99/750 mL and is expected to hit stores in the United States in July 2020.

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About Laphroaig

Laphroaig (La-'froyg) literally means "the beautiful hollow by the broad bay." Born from the streams and blue peat smoke of Islay, Laphroaig is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky with a distinct taste and story in every bottle. The secret to Laphroaig is that it benefits from the happy circumstances of where it is produced—next to ocean water and on land that gives Laphroaig a unique peaty taste. It is one of only a few distilleries that still uses traditional malting floors and dries and infuses its own malt with the thick blue smoke from old peat-fired kilns. It's also the only Single Malt Scotch Whisky to bear a Royal Warrant bestowed by HRH Prince Charles.
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About Beam Suntory Inc.

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands, Suntory whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s and Legent bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese whisky; Teacher’s, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch whisky; Canadian Club whisky; Hornitos and Sauza tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle vodka; Sipsmith and Roku gin; and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit https://www.beamsuntory.com and https://www.drinksmart.com.