Laphroaig Càirdeas 2023 White Port & Madeira

Laphroaig Càirdeas 2023 White Port & Madeira is the annual Friends of Laphroaig limited edition — an Islay single malt where three quarters is matured in second-fill Madeira casks (releasing smoky, spicy, and sweet fruit flavours) and the final quarter is finished in first-fill Port casks, the majority of which are white port, adding a hint of crisp fruit and deep woodiness to the flavour.

The Càirdeas series (Gaelic for ‘friendship’) is Laphroaig’s annual limited release for Friends of Laphroaig, the distillery’s global membership programme. The 2023 edition explores two fortified wine cask types simultaneously: Madeira (the fortified wine from the Portuguese Atlantic island, known for its distinctive oxidative complexity and sweet fruit character) and White Port (a style of Port made from white grapes for a lighter, crisper, and more aromatic character than Ruby or Tawny Port). The combination on the classic Laphroaig peat base creates a distinctive and complex annual expression. Browse the full Scotch whisky collection at Wooden Cork.

Specs

• Distillery: Laphroaig, Port Ellen, Islay (est. 1815)
• Series: Càirdeas (annual Friends of Laphroaig release)
• Release: 2023
• Maturation: 3/4 second-fill Madeira casks + 1/4 first-fill Port casks (majority White Port)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is White Port and why is it unusual in whisky maturation?

White Port is produced from white grapes in the Douro Valley of Portugal, resulting in a lighter and crisper fortified wine with more aromatic and fruity character than the deeper, darker Ruby or Tawny Port styles. White Port casks are unusual in Scotch whisky maturation, making the 2023 Càirdeas a genuinely distinctive combination. Limited allocation. Order online.