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Malt Whisky Distilleries
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Laphroaig Distillery
PA42 7DU
Port Ellen
Isle of Islay
Argyll
Scotland
Phone: +44 (0)1496 302418
Website
As the first in a row of three famous distilleries (Lagavulin and Ardbeg follow up) along this rugged coast of Islay, Laphroig is a classic. Famous, not only for their great characteristic smoky whisky, but also for their "Friends of Laphroig" where every member gets a piece of land on Islay. If you become a member before your visit you will be taken on a
tour and enjoy a dram of the finest. Annual
'ground rent' (a miniature) is given before you take your leave. You can also log in on their community website.
About 1/3 of the production is
marketed as single malt; 1/3 is used in companies blends like Islay Mist; the
rest is sold to customers blends. In 1994 Prince Charles visited the distillery
and presented them with the Royal Warrant, declaring his opinion that Laphroaig
is the best whisky in the world. As a member in the Laphroaig fan club named
‘Friends of Laphroaig you can borrow a pair of Wellingtons
for a walk on the moor to inspect your one square foot of Islay
just outside the distillery.
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Information about the tour at Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Tour in short: Peat smoking kilns, malting floors and lovely stills combined with an excellent tour showing the craftmanship of whisky as its best. Whitewashed walls, farmhouse buildings and rocky coastline - the setting is great. To arrange an 'in-the-flesh' tour of the distillery click here to fill out our booking form. Alternatively you can call +44 (0)1496 302418.
Information for visiting Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Travel Directions: Travel Directions: From Port Ellen you take the Ardbeg road. Laphroig is the first distillery on the right after a couple of miles.
Get to Islay. See here.
Opening Hours: Visitor centre and museum open all year. Tours by appointement only. Book in advance. Silent season Jul-Aug.
Tour Times: Tours are on Mondays to Fridays either at 10.15am or at 2.15pm.
Price admission: Free.
Shop: Laphroig whiskies, products like clothing and glasses.
Restaurant: No.
Parking: Free parking.
Groups: By appointement.
Photography in distillery: Yes.
Foreign visitor support: No.
Disabled access: Not really but assistance is available.
Off season opening hours: Closed in July and August.
Things of interest regarding Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Restaurants nearby: See here
Things of interest: On Islay there's several more
distilleries and whiskyshops. There's also a swimmingpool, Golf Club,
Dive Center, Sea Safari, Horse Trekking, Shooting Ground; not to
mention beautiful nature and wildlife.
Bed & breakfast and hotels nearby: See here
The whisky from Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Tasting notes: Laphroig (15 yo 43%) Powerful and smoky
with a hint of salt and nutty sweetness.
The production at Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
Malt and malting: Heavily peated (60 ppm) from own maltings (30%) and Port Ellen Maltings. The peat comes from Laphroaig’s own bogs which lie east of Loch Indaal. It’s seasoned with salt and seaweed by the sea breeze and gives Laphroaig some of its special character. Laphroaig still use the kilns from 1840 to peated the malt to a ppm of 60. It is left to harden for a month before it is milled in the 60 years old Porteus Mill.
Distilling and the stills: Washstills: 3,
10.500 litres. Spiritstills: 4, flat sides and base,
4.900 litres (one 9.400 litres).
Watersource: Loch Kilbride, soft.
Barrels and casks: Bourbon.
Bond and Warehousing: Traditional warehouses on site.
Mashing and fermentation: Mashtun: 1, 8.5 tons. Washbacks: 6, stainless steel, 42.500 litres.
Production: 1.9 million litres.
Distillery manager: John Campbell.
Owner: Jim Beam Brands.
The history of Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery
History of the distillery: The Johnstons
started farming at Laphroaig, which means the ‘hollow of broad Bay’, in early
1800s. The two brothers Donald and Alexander distilled the surplus for their
own needs. Their father John Johnston founded the Lagavulin nearby. Soon - with
a nod and a wink in the right direction - the whisky from Laphroaig became
well-known thanks to the high quality and the ideal sorroundings for smuggling.
By 1815 'Johnston & Johnston' was 'officially' established but the
distillery did not gain licence until 1826. Donald bought his brother’s share
of the company in 1836 and to this day the company trade as D Johnston & Co
(Laphroaig) Ltd. Donald ran Laphroaig until his death in 1847 and Laphroaig was
leased to Alexander Graham who also ran Lagavulin. When Donald’s son Dugald was
old enough to take over in 1857 he ran the company until 1877. It was then
taken over by Alexander Johnston until his death in 1907. The relations with
Lagavulin were not always that good and disputes over agency agreements and
water supplies were resolved in court to Laphroaigs favour. Alexander left the
distillery to his sisters who in turn left the daily chores to one of their
sons Ian Hunter who later inherited the distillery in 1928 and created the
successfull blend Islay Mist.
In 1954, Mrs Bessie Williamson, former secretary and chemist by traingin,
inherited the distillery. In the 1960s she sold it to Long John International
(later Whitbread and Allied Domecq) but stayed on as manager until 1972. In
2005 Laphroaig was sold to Jim Beam Brands.
Read more about Laphroaig Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery in these books:
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