Laphroaig Cairdeas 2020 Port & Wine
The first Laphroaig Cairdeas (“friendship” in Gaelic) came out in 2008 and has been an annual release since then. The 2020 Cairdeas Port & Wine represents a way to introduce wine finishes to a smoky scotch, something that is not always successful given the strong elements of a typical Laphroaig. To solve this, part of the initial maturation was done in ex-bourbon casks and part in second-fill ruby Port barriques. These are then combined to finish in red wine casks. Specifics about the time spent in each process is not available but that is relatively common in No Age Statement whiskies.
Liberty Pole Pecan Pie
It is normal for distilleries to have a core range that they produce in quantity and consistency. It sees their whiskies reach the widest audience and lets customers know what to expect each time they open the bottle. Occasionally they may release special offerings like a yearly or seasonal offerings. Mingo Creek Craft Distillers, more commonly known by their brand name Liberty Pole, takes the even rarer step (though they are certainly not the first or only) of releasing a single barrel. This is usually done by distillers when a single barrel has a unique quality all on its own that the distillers want to share with the world. Liberty Pole has released a number of single barrels over the years and this one is named Pecan Pie for the qualities reminiscent of grandma’s classic dessert. This barrel began as one of their standard ryes, (61% rye, 13% red winter wheat, 13% rye malt, and 13% six-row distillers malt) but was aged for a minimum of 36 months and is one of only 104 bottles.
Highland Park 16 Year Twisted Tattoo
Since beginning their distillery on Orkney in 1798, Highland Park has been crafting scotch and working with artisans from around the world, continually reinventing itself while also holding true to their history and traditions. A recent rebranding effort has seen them lean more heavily into the Viking influence of that area of Scotland, often seen in evocative names to accompany the usual age statements. The Highland Park 16 Year is called the Twisted Tattoo after Jörmungandr, the Midgard serpent of Norse legend. The design and packaging was the result of a partnership with Danish tattoo artist Colin Dale. Highland Park regularly uses ex-sherry casks as part of their standard maturation process but in the Twisted Tattoo, the scotch was finished in ex-Rioja casks.