Laphroaig recently launched the 2025 edition of its annual Càirdeas release. This year’s bottle is Lore Cask Strength, an update to the classic Lore expression, which has always been a fan favorite. Now you can experience it straight out of the cask at 59.6% ABV.
Lore Cask Strength is a complex blend of single malts that have aged in five distinct casks, including ex-bourbon, European oak, Oloroso sherry barrels, and quarter casks. It’s non-chill filtered to retain its intense flavor profile, and it has zesty, salty notes, warm spices, and the trademark Islay peat. Drink it neat, over ice, or with a few drops of purified water if you want to cut through some of the heady proof.
Càirdeas (Gaelic for friendship) is a special release created with the Friends of Laphroaig members in mind, and it’s always timed with Fèis Ìle, the Islay festival where whisky fans around the world congregate to visit distilleries and taste special bottlings. If you missed Fèis Ìle, you can find the 2025 Laphroaig Càirdeas Lore Cask Strength in the U.S. at select retailers for $110.
Laphroaig Càirdeas Lore Cask Strength Tasting Notes
Aroma: Sweet, herbal, and boldly peaty. A fruity expression with aromas of apricot, peaches in syrup and lemon cream, combined with a hint of coconut and a vanilla fudge sweetness. A hint of freshly mowed grass and tangy basil is also present, with a slight trace of tobacco and white pepper.
Taste: It opens with an explosion of peat and salty sea spray, followed by pepper on the tongue. Notes of lemon zest, salted limes, and caramel dominate, leading to more herbal notes of fresh mint and rich tea leaves in the background. Delicate spices emerge including cumin, cloves, and ginger, with an almost antiseptic sensation on the palate.
Finish: A long-lasting finish with citrus sweetness and an everlasting, phenolic aftertaste.
