Laphroaig whisky is made on the Scottish island of Islay. The distillery has been in operation since 1810, making it one of the oldest whisky distilleries in Scotland. Laphroaig whisky is known for its smoky flavour, which comes from the peat used to smoke the barley during the whisky-making process.
Laphroaig distillery is open to visitors, and there are several tours available that allow you to see how the whisky is made. You can also try some of the different Laphroaig whiskies at the on-site tasting room. If you're feeling really adventurous, you can even sign up for a peat-cutting tour. This distillery has malts that are utterly distinctive.
History of Laphroaig Distillery
The distillery was founded in 1810 by brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston on what was originally a family-run farm in a small bay on the southernmost tip of Islay. Its unique flavour comes in part from its vicinity to the coast and the high moss content of its peat, which is processed in the distillery’s own floor maltings. Laphroaig was owned by members of the Johnston family until 1954. In 1847, co-founder Donald Johnston died in dramatic circumstances - after falling into a scalding kettle of burnt ale. For the next decade Walter Graham, manager of neighbouring distillery Lagavulin, ran the company. Laphroaig returned to Johnston family hands in 1857 when Donald’s son Dugald gained ownership.
Recent times
Recent owners of Laphroaig have included Allied Domecq, who were proprietors from 1990 to 2005. Allied also included the distillery as one of the four single malt makers of Caledonian Malts.