Laphroaig Càirdeas and Friends of Laphroaig

A Story of Friendship from Islay

The world of whisky is full of traditions, legends, and remarkable stories. One of the most unique is that of the Laphroaig distillery on the island of Islay and its community of fans, known as the Friends of Laphroaig. Out of this friendship was born the famous annual series of limited edition whiskies – Laphroaig Càirdeas.

The History of the Càirdeas Series (“Friendship” in Gaelic)

The beginnings (2003): The first special Feis Ìle bottling appeared in 2003, when Laphroaig bottled a single cask exclusively for the festival.

Friends of Laphroaig connection: The Càirdeas series has always been aimed at this fan community, as a kind of annual gift and a reward for loyalty. Càirdeas releases through the years:

• 2008 – First Edition
• 2009 – 12 Years Old
• 2010 – Master Edition
• 2011 – Ileach Edition
• 2012 – Origin
• 2013 – Port Wood
• 2014 – Amontillado Finish
• 2015 – 200th Anniversary (Bourbon, NAS)
• 2016 – Madeira Finish
• 2017 – Quarter Cask (Cask Strength)
• 2018 – Fino Cask Finish
• 2019 – Triple Wood (Cask Strength)
• 2020 – Port & Wine Casks
• 2021 – Pedro Ximenez (PX) Cask Strength
• 2022 – Warehouse 1 (Maker’s Mark Bourbon, matured by the sea)
• 2023 – White Port & Madeira
• 2024 – 10-Year Blended Cask (Triple Wood + PX influence)
• 2025 – Lore Cask Strength, released as a nod to the “Lore” series

The Birth of Friends of Laphroaig

In 1994: The program was founded by Iain Henderson, then Distillery Manager of Laphroaig.

Members could “visit their plot” and collect symbolic rent – usually in the form of a dram of whisky at the Visitor Centre. It was both a playful gesture and a clever way to build loyalty and a global community.

Growth of the Community

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Friends of Laphroaig program quickly grew to hundreds of thousands of members worldwide. Friends became true brand ambassadors, helping make Laphroaig one of the first whisky distilleries to base its communication not just on the product itself, but on community, loyalty, and emotional connection.

Members gained access to newsletters, exclusive updates, and of course, special bottlings.

Friends of Laphroaig Today

Today, the group counts over 750,000 members across 150+ countries, making it one of the largest whisky communities in the world. Membership benefits include:

• Dedicated newsletters with brand stories, news, and release updates,
• Early access to special releases (such as the annual Càirdeas),
• Invitations to exclusive events – live tastings, online masterclasses, and streams from Islay,
• Entry into competitions and draws for unique prizes.

The Philosophy and Meaning of Càirdeas

Friendship as the foundation: Càirdeas symbolizes the friendship between the distillery and its fans. Diversity of styles: Each release is unique – sometimes pure bourbon casks, other times sherry, port, madeira, or innovative experiments such as Warehouse 1 maturation. For the fans and the distillers: For the community, it’s a reward for loyalty. For the master distiller, it’s a playground to showcase creativity and new maturation techniques. In effect, Càirdeas has become a chronicle of Laphroaig’s experimentation and evolution since 2008.

How to Become a Friend of Laphroaig

1.Join online: Go to laphroaig.com, Select Friends of Laphroaig and register for free.

After signing up, you receive: A membership number, and downloadable ownership certificate,

2.Your peat plot: ◦ You can view an online map and locate your numbered plot.

• It’s symbolic ownership – you can’t fence it off or sell it 😉 – but it’s your own piece of Islay.
• ◦ When visiting the distillery, you can even stand on your land, with staff helping you locate it.

3.Collect your rent: At the Visitor Centre, show your certificate (printed or digital). You’ll receive your “rent” – a dram of Laphroaig whisky. This tradition is one of the most famous and fun rituals in the whisky world.

Why Càirdeas Became So Important

It connects tradition with innovation – each release brings a different dimension of Laphroaig, while keeping its distinctive smoky, medicinal “heart.” It has become an annual ritual – fans eagerly await each new announcement, much like wine lovers wait for a new vintage. It creates collector’s value – early editions (2008, 2009, 2010) now command high prices at auctions.

Final Thoughts

The story of Friends of Laphroaig and the Càirdeas series is a perfect example of how a distillery can build a true bond with its fans. It’s more than marketing – it’s a global community of people united by a love for the unique, smoky character of Islay whisky. For some, it’s about collecting rare bottles. For others, it’s about feeling part of something bigger. But one thing is certain: if you’re a whisky lover, visiting Laphroaig and collecting your “rent” on your own peat plot is an experience you’ll never forget.