Laproaig Càirdeas 2021 Pedro Ximénez Cask

Each year in celebration of càirdeas, Gaelic for friendship, Laphroaig’s distillery manager John Campbell creates a special annual limited offering to share with the world.

This 2021 edition is a beautiful triple casked offering that spent time first in ex-bourbon barrels, followed by Laproaig’s signature quarter casks, and finally in Pedro Ximénez Sherry hogseads before bottling at cask strength.

At $90+ this may seem like a hefty investment to go in on blind, but I think I may have some insight into its worthiness.

This is easily one of the best bottlings of Laphroaig I've had in the last decade.

Sweet fruity smoke and salinity on the nose that has a hint of dry erase marker and a whiff of chewy caramel cubes.

The depth of the palate is absolutely immense. Saltwater taffy, dried red fruits, toffee, peanut brittle, walnut oil, blackened charcoal grilled meats, smouldering hardwood campfire, red fruit flavored caramel chews, and hot slot car tire rubber.

The finish is warm and never-ending. You'll keep tasting this until your next hearty meal. It's truly beautiful and worth every single penny.

This was not a completely objective review as it was not done blind. I was aware of what I was drinking at the time of drinking it. The bottle was purchased by myself and was not provided by Beam Suntory for review.