Laphroaig Scotch Whisky

Laphroaig Whisky Distillery Information

Founded in 1815 by Alex & Donald Johnston

Location Islay region south shore district

Water source Kilbride Loch.

Laphroaig Whisky Distilling Equipment

Original floor maltings and peat kiln

Stainless steel lauter mash tun

6 Stainless steel washbacks

3 wash stills and 3 spirit stills

Matured in first fill American oak bourbon casks in dunnage warehouses on the seashore.

Laphroaig Whisky Distillery History

Lying just west of Lagavulin on the southshore. Alex Johnston & Donald Johnston started the Laphroaig distillery in 1815.

During 1836 the distillery became sole ownership of Donald Johnston. Unfortunately Donald Johnston died after tumbling into a vat of part-processed whisky in 1847

His son Dugald was too young to take over so the distillery was temporarily leased to Walter Graham leased.

In 1857 Dugald Johnston takes the lease at runs the distillery until his death in1877 leaving the distillery to his sisters and brother in law.

At some point in 1921 Ian Hunter takes over and in1923 a pair of new stills are added.

Laphroaig was allowed in to the USA as a "medicinal spirit" during prohibition. Ian Hunter, the owner at the time, gave some US officials some samples of his malt whisky the iodine medicinal flavours won them over.

During the 1930s Bessie Williamson arrives to take up a temporary job at the distillery that lasts for forty years old. Over the following years Ian hunter passes over his “knowledge” as he sees her as the one person to carry on the Laphroaig tradition. On his death Bessie Williamson inherits distillery in 1954

Being pragmatic Bessie knew for Laphroaig to grow it would require support and resources that only the large companies have so during the 1960s sold the distillery to Long John International

Allied Domecq in turn purchased Long John in 1990

Prince Charles visits and hands over Royal Warrant in 1994.

The distillery is taken over by Fortune Brands Inc in 2005.

With tasting notes of medicinal, TCP mouthwash, phenolic. Iodine-like, seaweedy, tar smoke and peat with a hint of estery sweetness. This is an Islay whisky at industrial strength. Even if the tasting notes are for Diesel This malt whisky is one of the best five sellers in the UK

Johnston name still appears on label.

Laphroaig Distillery Bottlings 

Laphroaig 10 Year Old

Laphroaig Quarter Cask

Laphroaig 10 Year Old Cask Strength

Laphroaig 15 Year Old

Laphroaig Older Distillery Bottlings

Laphroaig 1979 Limited Edition

Laphroaig 30 Year Old

Laphroaig 40 Year Old

Laphroaig Whisky Independent Bottlings 

Cadenhead’s

Murray McDavid

Old Malt Cask (Douglas Laing)

Un-Chill Filtered (Signatory).

Published 8 times a year Whisky Magazine is the perfect complement to the dram in your glass. Every issue brings you fascinating articles on the art, science and romance of the 'water of life', plus page after page of tasting notes

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