This year’s iteration, Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask, is another animal entirely. This unadulterated and pure cask-strength scotch is not for those new to the whisky game, it is for those that have are well traveled scotch lovers looking for the next mountain to climb. First off Cairdeas Quarter Cask is a whopping 114.4 proof (57.2 ABV) behemoth which is the very essence of undiluted and raw power. The nose does not quite tip you off to the experience you are about to have; it starts with hints of fresh vanilla and sweet malt overtones with an underlying base of bonfire style burnt wood. The palate is extremely deep and complex where the hints of vanilla noted in the nose comes to life amid a base of smoky fury. The mouthfeel has an oily essence that melds perfectly with wisps of licorice bitterness. Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask finishes surprisingly smooth with cream and smoke notes dominating for a long while on the palate.

If you are a true scotch lover and aficionado take the dive off the deep end in to this superb cask strength whisky. Be sure to enjoy Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask with a bit of water, up to 15% the total volume, in order to open up both the nose and palate and to settle this monster of a Islay scotch down a bit. This scotch is not for beginners, it is for those looking to experience cast-strength scotch in its rawest form. While it may be a bit daunting, trying Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask is extremely rewarding in every way imaginable.

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Every year Laphroaig distillers craft a new version of Cairdeas (meaning ‘friendship’ in Gaelic) to celebrate friendship, and 2016’s version is one to behold and savor. Cairdeas Madeira starts with fully matured Laphroaig aged in bourbon barrels and then ages it even further in a second maturation via Madeira seasoned casks. The result is an earthy Scotch that has orange on the nose and a bit of licorice spice that melds perfectly with a traditional peaty smokiness. Cairdeas Madeira is an top-notch sipping Scotch that will find a place in my home bar year after year with each new release as I explore the ever evolving Laphroaig scotch landscape.

Laphroaig Lore is a truly astonishing scotch that is now among the best I have ever tried. On the nose you are greeted with a deep smoky front with notes of vanilla and bitter chocolate. The palate is dominated by unmistakable Islay peat with spice notes that add depth and character. It finishes a bit dry with a subtle sweetness that invites more drinks to come. Laphroaig Lore is among the best I have ever had the pleasure of trying and I recommend you grab it immediately if you are lucky enough to find it on store shelves.  

As summer comes to a close and fall nights become longer and cooler be sure to reach for a Laphroaig Cairdeas Madeira and experience this year’s unique and exceptional release, or if you want a truly transcendental experience opt for the amazing and earth-shattering Laphroaig Lore; the best scotch I have had in recent memory.  

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One aspect of the scotch world that I am totally new to is that of the scotch-based cocktail. Ordinarily I would never subject a superb scotch like Laphroaig Select to a sugar filled bar cocktail, but when I was introduced to the Tartan Collins I saw that the perfect high end recipe with superb ingredients can bring out and accent all the best aspects of the scotch at its center. To make the Tartan Collins take 1½ parts Laphroaig Select, ¼ part simple syrup, two dashes orange bitters and pour over an iced collins glass topping with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wedge. The resulting cocktail is amazing; the simple syrup tames the scotch a bit while the effervescence and spiciness of the ginger beer really opens up the refreshing citrus notes of the scotch.

On its own Laphroaig Select is quickly becoming one of my favorite scotches for sipping. The color is a natural golden yellow with no artificial or added caramel, something that is a non-negotiable for me and the scotch I drink. The nose is a classic peat forward smell with hints of citrus and a bit of barley sweetness. On the palate the peat is surprisingly not the central profile, allowing for more subtle notes to flourish such as the citrus and subtle sweetness of the American oak. Overall Laphroaig Select is a great and accessible scotch that is unlike any other.

Laphroaig Select is a blend that brings the best aspects of its multiple oaked varieties together in a way that is unique, surprising, and incredibly tasty. As part of the Tartan Collins, Laphroaig Select shines as s cocktail base in creating a amazing drink that is spicy, full of depth, and surprisingly refreshing. If you are looking for a solid scotch at an accessible price look no further than Laphroaig Select.

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Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Cinco de Mayo traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the United States.

I may not know much about the real history of Cinco de Mayo, but I do know a thing or two about what people will be drinking to celebrate this day. Shots of Tequila, Margaritas, and ice cold bottles of Corona Extra with a wedge of lime jammed down the neck of the bottle will be flowing freely across the country. While I enjoy these drinks as much as the next guy or gal, it’s always a good idea to break with tradition and try something new whenever possible.

As luck would have it, a new Cinco de Mayo inspired cocktail called the Cinco de Laphroaig landed in our inbox, and we are still enjoying it today. As the name clearly states, this cocktail is made with Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Here’s the recipe:

• 1.5 ounces Laphroaig 10 Year Old
• Mexican Coca Cola
• Lime Wedge

Method: Pour the Laphroaig 10 Year Old into a Collins glass with ice. Top with Mexican Coca Cola and garnish with a wedge of lime.

Since I didn’t have any of the standard issue 10 YO on hand, I decided to try this cocktail using the cask strength version of the 10YO Laphroaig which is bottled at 58.6% ABV vs. the standard issue’s bottling strength of 43%. Given the significantly higher ABV of the cask strength Laphroiag, I used just 1 ounce of the whisky in this drink instead of the 1.5 ounces that the recipe calls for. Now that you know what’s in this cocktail and how to make it (could it be any easier? I think not!), let’s find out how it tastes…

If you’ve had the cask strength Laphroaig 10 on its own, then you already know that this is an incredibly unique and intense dram of whisky. Fiery peat. Sea spray. Iodine. Lemon peel. And even a bit of sweetness. All that stuff and so much more is in this whisky. And if you’ve ever had a Mexican Coca Cola, then you know that it’s slightly different from the United States version thanks to the use of can sugar vs. the corn syrup that’s used in the US version of the soda.

While this combination of Islay whisky and Mexican soda sounded a bit odd when I first read about it, I have to admit that I really enjoyed how these ingredients tasted together. The peaty whisky helped to offset the sweetness of the Coca Cola, while the sweetness of the soda helped to tone down the strong maritime flavors of the Laphroaig. And then there’s the lime which brought all of the flavors together by adding a subtle tartness to the drink. This was one delightfully balanced cocktail!

Peated Single Malt Scotch Whisky may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to Cinco de Mayo, but if you’re looking for something other than the usual Tequila / Margarita / Corona, then the Cinco de Laphroaig is well worth trying.

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