The Laphroaig Distillery, founded in 1815 by brothers Alexander and Donald Johnston, is located on the southern coast of the Isle of Islay. The distillery is known for its heavily peated whiskies, which have an intense and distinctive flavor due to the use of Islay peat. Laphroaig means "the beautiful hollow by the broad bay" in Gaelic and is renowned for its picturesque location and proximity to the sea, giving the whiskies a maritime character.
Among the most popular Laphroaig releases are the Laphroaig 10 Year Old, considered the cornerstone of the brand, and the Laphroaig Quarter Cask, which is aged in smaller casks for a more intense flavor experience. Other well-known releases include Laphroaig 15 Year Old, Laphroaig 18 Year Old, Laphroaig 25 Year Old, as well as Laphroaig Triple Wood and PX Cask, which are finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.
The distillery also has a special series called "Càirdeas," which brings out limited editions each year, available exclusively to the "Friends of Laphroaig," a club founded in 1994 whose members own a small plot of land on Islay.
Laphroaig's production is characterized by the use of water from the Kilbride Stream and slow, double distillation in special copper pot stills. These stills have a unique shape that promotes an intense interaction between the spirit and the copper, resulting in Laphroaig's distinctive taste.
Laphroaig ages its whisky primarily in American white oak bourbon barrels and also uses quarter casks as well as Spanish Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks to create unique flavor profiles. The warehouses are located near the sea, where the salty air aids in the maturation process.
In 1994, the distillery received the Royal Warrant from Prince Charles, a significant recognition that underscores the quality and heritage of Laphroaig. Today, Laphroaig is owned by Beam Suntory, one of the largest spirits producers in the world.
