Laphroaig Brodir

This is Laphroaig’s attempt to take their port wine finishing up to another level. It’s a travel retail exclusive that’s actually on its second batch run. The first run was back in 2012 and was a precursor to their excellent 2013 Cairdeas release, that has become a mythical, lengendary drop over the last couple of years. In an attempt to recapture that magic, Laphroaig re-released this bottle in hopes of a return to glory. The problem is that this one falls significantly short. It’s bottled at 48%, is non-chill filtered and has no added color. The color is actually quite striking: orange/amber. It appears oily while leaving lots of droplets around the upper edge when you spin it in your Glencairn. There are very few legs that form, as well. The nose is sweet port wine, light grapes and honey with a pretty restrained smoke level. There’s little to no wood or alcohol notes present, even after 20-25 minutes. The palate is similar: Light vine fruits with hints of smoke, but it is juicier than most Laphroaig’s I’ve had to this point. It’s not so much oily as it is watery. You can tell there’s young malt at play here, but the port flavors keep the harshness at bay. The overall mouthfeel ends up feeling a little thin. The 2013 Cairdeas Port didn’t suffer from these issues, neither did batch 1 of this Brodir from what I’ve heard. Unfortunately, batch 1 bottles are even harder to find than the Cairdeas version. The finish continues the theme of restraint. Lower smoke levels than you’ll be accustomed to from The Frog, but it is really fruity with a medium length, lingering sweet finale. Overall, I was hoping for the best and wishing it was a suitable replacement for the 2013 Cairdeas, but it comes up short- especially at the price point of $107 a bottle. If you’ve had the good fortune to try the 2013 Cairdeas, and marveled at its brilliance, then you’ll see that this one is more of a tease than the real deal. It’s still highly drinkable, but I’m still looking for that elusive Cairdeas. 3.75-4 stars for the Brodir. Cheers.

Laphroaig tasting evening, Sydney, 26 September 2018. Whiskey #6. Nose: Rose and honey. Raisins simmered in port and brandy - a hefty and full aroma. Strong port wine, almost like port wine jelly. The smoke takes a back seat, but it’s there all right, as is a hint of the trademark Laphroaig iodine, but it’s occluded. There is a deep musky note tinged with oak sitting behind everything. Palate: Velvety smooth arrival. Raisins and smoke in abundance, strawberry compote, blackberry jam, orange syrup, rancio. A rather thick texture, but not oily. It’s flavourful but on the braggadocio side and heavy-handed. Finish: Medium. The smoke persists in the finish. It’s a boldly sweet nose and the port finish obscures the smoke at first. Peat-reek is present, however, as a powerful foundation and once it starts to unfold it keeps on coming. Unlike many smoky whiskies there is no trace of a plastic-peat note on this at all. On the first tasting I found this whisky agreeably sweet, friendly and easy to drink but with each successive nose and sip it became a little less engaging. Something about the profile didn't appeal to me and eventually I realized that I was not sensing any distillery character at all in this whisky. The heavy port finish blankets everything and the Laphroaig heritage is nowhere to be seen - this could be a smoky distillate from any distillery. There was a port-finished Cairdeas a few yeas ago that was exceptional – sprightly, balanced and complex. This comes across as a less competent version of that. It is well made but I can’t imagine ever buying a bottle, particularly given the price. “Above Average” : 82/100 (3.25 stars)

Getting an early start on the bonus samples for round 6 of the SDT with this travel retail exclusive Laphroaig provided by Mr. @LeeEvolved. Brodir is the brother of the PX Cask but finished in port wood vs PX. Bottled at 48% ABV and is non chill filtered and natural color of a beautiful ruby red with a purplish hue. The nose is sweet, fruity, wine drenched peat. Great classic Laphroaig notes. Smoke, bandages, iodine, campfire ashes, rubber and tennis balls. Sweet wine notes, mixed berry jam, grapes, plums. Maritime notes, seashore, salty sea spray, mineral like seashells. Wine soaked oak, a touch of eucalyptus. Berry pie, very confectionary towards the end with a hint of pink bubblegum. A very good nose indeed. The palate is SLIGHTLY less engaging. Strong peat smoke and bonfire ashes. Oak, black pepper. Sweet, berries, grapes and a light tobacco. More smoke and candy sweet. I started enjoying this a little too much for any further analytics, so let’s just say it’s damn good. Medium to full bodied with a light oiliness, mouth coating and dry. The finish is long, smoky, sweet, earthy and meaty. This is great stuff. The better looking fraternal twin of the PX Cask that gets all of the attention from the girls in high school. If I see a bottle at duty free I will be sure to grab one. If this is the lesser version of the 2013 Cairdeas, then I will have to pester Lee into finding another bottle to open so I can have a taste! A solid 4.5 Cheers

Even if Laphroaig never dissapoints, this expression feels like "more of the same" even if there is a nice sweetness to it. The typical Laphroaig peat sometimes is way overpowering in front of other flavors and even if you are a peat-head like me, sometimes i wish there was something more to it. Brodir means "brother" in Norse, and it has been matured in ex bourbon casks to then be finished in ruby port casks. Bottled at 48%abv, tawny color. On the nose: instant Tobacco grass. Brown sugar, Orange candy and Perfumed peat. Burnt grass. There is a thick sweetness under a peat fog/ layer. After 5 mins, iodine and super medicinal aroma appears. All sweetness has been lost after a while. Cigarretes smoke. After first sip some vanilla and burnt hay. Even for those notes, it is not that pleasant on the nose, without been bad or off-putting. On the palate, first sip is very Sulphuric. Orange in the mouth walls but very raw flavor in the first sip. Second sip was much more sweet and refined; Some oranges and brown sugar. Cough syrup. (I am so addicted to it). Aftertaste has a smoky pleasant finish. Salty and oak spice, pretty nice. Nice puffs of smoke. Not the best Laphroaig but does its job. I would have expected a lot more complexity for a 48%abv. The sweetness is very thick and refined due to the usage of ruby port casks. My score: 85 over 100.

Friday after Thanksgiving. Excited, as a monstrous Beatles fan, I finally am able to watch the much anticipated Get Back series. I have nothing but time, so a perfect time to sample. A subtle, sweet peat. Not the bold, brash Laphroaig. Quite pleasant. Open fire at the beach on an overcast, autumn day. For me, that is the imagery this conjures in my mind. Blend in some artificial grape, dark honey, raisins. Now imagine nosing this will in an old, damp, library. A musty character underlies the more prevalent aromas. Quite satisfying. On the palate is where that Laphroaig ashy-tobacco base which supports the additional flavors. Fruity sweetness. Welch’s Grape jam, raisins, plums, frosted strawberry Pop Tart. Black pepper and brine provide a spicy earthiness to the spirit. All delivered through a thin and creamy texture. The long, ashy, earthy palate remains that seems to never end with a soft jammy sweetness. If you like peaty sweetness, this will satisfy. Very sip-able and does not feel to be at 48 abv. It is comparable, to me, to Kilchoman Sanig, but a touch more sweeter. It’s quite good, but there is something missing to push it to a top tier. Sanig can provide as much enjoyment at about half the cost. Thank you @LeeEvolved for the sample. I finally got around to opening. [90/100][Tasted: 11/26/21]

Review for Brodir Batch 3 (aka Final Batch). After trying Brodir bath 2 and Cairdeas 2013, I already knew how amazing port finished Laphroaig can be, so when I had the chance of buying the new and final batch, I jumped on it. (I think from now on it will be replaced by a new expression called simply “Laphroaig Port Wood”). First difference I can notice from batch 2 is on the color. Although it has the pinkish hue one would expect from a ruby port finish, it is less pronounced than it was on the previous batch, probably denoting a shorter finishing time on the port barrels. On the (amazing) nose, there are red berries and campfire smoke as the previous one, but also vanilla sweetness and honey. It is delicious and seems overall more rounded this time. I really love it! On the palate, the campfire smoke turns into an ashy peat bomb with an underlying sweetness. Surprising, but in a good way. The finish brings a lot of barrel spices to play, that along with the peat seams to linger forever on your mouth. I liked it better than batch 2 for sure, since it is an overall more balanced whisky, but if I recall it right, not better than Cairdeas 2013, still King of Laphroaig IMHO. Very, very good indeed! Happy I pulled the trigger on this one. 5 stars it is!