One of the three heavily-peated southern Islay malts, alongside Ardbeg and Lagavulin, Laphroaig (pronounced La-froyg) was founded in 1810 by brothers Alexander and Donald Johnston. Donald bought his brother's share of the business in 1836, but died most unpleasantly after falling into a vat of boiling whisky by-products in 1847. For a time the distillery was run by neighbour Lagavulin until Donald's
son was of an age to take over.
Laphroaig is a whisky with a very powerful, medicinal, smoky flavour which can divide opinion in whisky drinkers. During the prohibition in the United States customs officials were somehow fooled into believing that Laphroaig wasn't even whisky, and were allowed to sell it as a 'medicinal spirit'.
Laphroaig has been the only whisky to carry the Royal Warrant of the Prince of Wales, which was awarded in person during a visit to the distillery in 1994. Today, the distillery and brand are owned and operated by Beam Suntory, the American subsidiary of Japan's Suntory Holdings.Show more