Laphroaig Tasting Set Cairdeas Feis Ile 2017-2020 Tasting Set (30ml x 4)

Laphroaig Tasting Set Cairdeas Feis Ile 2017-2020 Tasting Set (30ml x 4)

• Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask Feis ile 2017 Release (30ml, 57.2%)
• Laphroaig Cairdeas Fino Cask Feis ile 2018 Release (30ml, 51.8%) 
• Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Feis íle 2019 Release (30ml, 59.9%)
• Laphroaig Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks Feis ile 2020 Release (30ml, 52%)

The Laphroaig Cairdeas (Gaelic for "Friendship") is an annual limited release bottled specifically for the Friends of Laphroaig to celebrate the Fèis Ìle festival. The period between 2017 and 2020 represents a "Golden Era" for the series, as it moved away from standard maturation into bold, experimental cask finishes.

Tasting Notes

Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask Feis ile 2017 Release (57.2%)

Nose: An immediate blast of "industrial" Laphroaig. It is heavy on the creosote, tar, and medicinal bandages. However, the higher ABV and the Quarter Cask influence bring a massive wave of sweet vanilla, toasted coconut, and buttery toffee. It smells like a bonfire burning on a tropical beach.

Palate: The entry is viscous and "chewy." At 57.2%, it coats the mouth in a sweet, peppery oil. The flavors of vanilla bean and caramelized sugar are intense, acting as a perfect foil to the darker notes of charcoal, grilled seaweed, and brine.There is a distinct wood-spice character here—cinnamon and nutmeg—derived from the intense oak interaction.

Finish: Immense and lingering. The "fire" of the peat smoke stays on the tongue, but it is mellowed by a creamy, milky chocolate note and a final touch of drying oak tannins. It leaves a savory, salty aftertaste that lasts for minutes.

Laphroaig Cairdeas Fino Cask Feis ile 2018 Release (51.8%) 

Nose: Remarkably bright and sharp. The initial hit is pure "Laphroaig at the docks"—brine, ozone, and cold seaweed. The Fino influence brings a unique nuttiness (toasted almonds) and a sour-sweet fruitiness like green olives and dried lemon peel. The smoke is ashy and clean, lacking the "heavy" soot found in the Triple Wood.

Palate: The texture is oily but the flavor profile is lean and precise. It leads with an intense saltiness—think salted crackers and smoked oysters. Mid-palate, it reveals a delicate nuttiness and a dry, yeasty character (the hallmark of Fino's "flor" aging). The medicinal peat is present but feels "drier," like smoldering driftwood on a sandy beach rather than a medicinal cabinet.

Finish: Bracingly dry and incredibly long. It leaves a mouth-watering saltiness and a crisp, mineral finish. There is a lingering hint of white pepper and a very faint, herbal bitterness that makes you want to go back for another sip immediately.

Laphroaig Cairdeas Triple Wood Feis íle 2019 Release (59.9%)

Nose: The nose is massive and unapologetic. It leads with the classic Laphroaig "hospital" scent—medicinal bandages, iodine, and TCP. However, the Oloroso influence quickly softens the blow with thick notes of stewed prunes, dark chocolate, and burning driftwood. There is a background sweetness of creamy vanilla and toasted almonds.

Palate: The entry is oily and incredibly intense. A wave of bonfire smoke and sea salt hits first, followed by a surprising richness from the triple maturation. Sweet raisins, dates, and espresso beans mingle with charred oak and black pepper. The Quarter Cask influence provides a distinct wood-spice "grip" on the tongue that keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying.

Finish: Extremely long and drying. The medicinal smoke lingers for minutes, evolving into a savory "smoked ham" note.It ends with a final, elegant touch of dry sherry tannins and a hint of liquorice

Laphroaig Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks Feis ile 2020 Release (52%)

Nose: It opens with a striking "smoky berry" profile. Initial notes of strawberry jam and redcurrants are immediately wrapped in Laphroaig’s signature medicinal smoke—iodine, sea spray, and bandages. As it sits in the glass, it reveals deeper aromas of damp earth, dark chocolate, and a hint of honeyed nuttiness.

Palate: The mouthfeel is creamy and coating. The sweetness of the Ruby Port hits the front of the tongue with flavors of raspberry coulis and honey-glazed ham. This is quickly balanced by a dry, tannic grip from the red wine wood. Mid-palate, the peat smoke becomes more prominent—less like a bonfire and more like "smoked fruit"—accompanied by black pepper and a touch of cloves.

Finish: Long and savory. The sweetness of the berries fades into a salty, ashy finish. There is a lingering warmth of oak spice and a final, distinct note of dry tobacco and wood smoke.

Why it's special

• The Cask Strength Advantage: Unlike the core range, the Cairdeas series is almost always bottled at or near cask strength. This preserves the essential oils and "industrial" texture that Laphroaig purists crave.

• A Snapshot of Innovation: This 2017–2020 run shows a distillery willing to take risks—from the bone-dry nuttiness of Fino Sherry to the syrupy, savory smoke of the Port maturation.

• The Festival Spirit: These bottles were originally only available to those who made the pilgrimage to Islay for Fèis Ìle. They represent a sense of place and community that is rare in the global spirits market.

• The Collector’s Vertical: Because the labels are color-coded and the styles vary so wildly, this four-year run has become the most popular "vertical" for Laphroaig collectors to hunt and compare.