Laphroaig Whisky Sample Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks Feis Ile 2020 Release(30ml, 52%)

Laphroaig Whisky Sample Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks Feis Ile 2020 Release (30ml, 52%)

The Laphroaig Cairdeas Port & Wine Casks (Feis Ile 2020 Release) is often described as the "Ruby Laphroaig." While the 2019 Triple Wood was about power and spice, the 2020 release focuses on the marriage of heavy peat and deep,red fruit.

This expression was created by marrying two distinct maturations: Laphroaig aged in Ruby Port pipes and Laphroaig aged in ex-Red Wine casks. The result is a vibrant, pink-hued spirit that offers a beautiful tension between "medicinal" and "maritime" smoke and "sweet" and "tannic" fruit.

Tasting Notes

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.