23-07-2025
Scotch Fans May Go Nuts For Laphroaig's Newest Cask Strength Release
Laphroaig 2025 Càirdeas: Lore Cask Strength
Laphroaig is one of the whisky world's most iconic brands, and it's almost impossible to discuss the current state of Islay Scotch without giving a nod to the Suntory-owned producer. One of the expressions that continues to keep Laphroaig top of mind is the ever-popular Lore release, a blend of single malts aged between seven and 21 years across a variety of cask types.
Now, Laphroaig fans have something new to celebrate: the beloved Lore bottling, this time at cask strength.
Laphroaig's Càirdeas releases are annual bottlings pegged to Fèis Ìle, an Islay festival where fans get a first chance at trying the new whisky. This year's Càirdeas is Lore Cask Strength, which dials the ABV up to 59.6% instead of the normal 48%. (That's 119.2 proof versus 96 proof.)
Like the classic Lore, it's aged across ex-bourbon, European oak, Oloroso sherry barrels, and quarter casks. We had a chance to try the limited-edition release for ourselves.
The nose is punchy, bold, and close-to-dangerously peaty, but it never quite totters so far into smoke as to completely drown out other scents. Just below those first smoky vapors lie sweet, cooked fruits, particularly preserved pear and orange rind. Toasted meringue, lemon oil, and wood varnish accumulate once the initial smoke recedes just a tad, followed by herbal scents of rosemary, thyme, burnt sage, and roasted pine nuts.
Peat once again leads on the palate, with an early burst of smoked caramel and campfire embers. The whisky stays sweet and gets increasingly fruity with each sip, with charred citrus peels as a prominent flavor. Herbaceousness isn't far behind, here in the form of mint and clove chewing gums. There's a thread of carbolic soap, though not enough to scare away those even moderately familiar with smoky Islay Scotch.
The finish is notably long—the extra proof really makes this act shine compared to the classic Lore expression—and once again rich in smoked caramel.
Laphroaig 2025 Càirdeas: Lore Cask Strength carries a suggested retail price of $110 for a 750 milliliter bottle (U.S. release), and it's available for a limited time at select retailers starting this summer.
