The Islay distillery was founded by Donald and Alex Johnston in 1815, but the license to distill was not received until 1826. According to legend, after Alex had sold his share to Donald, the latter died by accidentally falling into a cask of whisky in 1847. His name can still be found on the label today. Alexander Graham, the manager of Lagavulin at the time, took control since Donald’s son Dugald was only 11 and wouldn’t take over until 1857. The rivalry between Laphroaig and Lagavulin lead to many court cases and is the stuff of legend. In 1994 Prince Charles offered a Royal Warrant to the distillery, a very high honour. Today, Laphroaig has two wash and two spirit stills and produces approx. 2.2 million litres per annum. Since 2005, it is the property of Fortune Brands, best known for its American whiskeys Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Knob Creek, etc. The distillery invites you to become a Friend of Laphroaig and claim your own square foot of Islay.
www.whiskyfun rates this one a solid 87/100