Lagavulin

Lagavulin is one of the great Scotch whisky classics. There is no way around this smoky Islay single malt if you want to get to know Scotland as a whisky nation. With its heavy peaty smoke, the single malt from Lagavulin is a typical representative of the island of Islay. The wonderful standard Lagavulin 16 year old should not be missing in any bar and convinces whisky fans worldwide of the quality of this traditional distillery. With over 200 years of whisky experience, Lagavulin knows how to make good Scotch whisky. Try a Lagavulin now and experience the smoky side of Scotland!

Lagavulin Whisky - The discovery of slowness

On the island of Islay, on whose spray-soaked south coast lies Lagavulin, the clocks go a little slower than elsewhere. Anyone who has ever been there will confirm this. And things are particularly leisurely at Lagavulin. The distillery produces its whisky using the slowest distilling process of all Islay malts: The first run takes over five hours, the second more than nine. The whisky for the distillery's flagship then rests in the cask for 16 years before being bottled. The longest time a distillery takes for its standard bottling.

And this at a distillery that was run for decades by a man known as "Restless Peter", Peter Mackie. Lagavulin, alongside its direct Laphroaig and Ardbeg, is the Islay single malt that made smoky Scotch whisky socially acceptable. Whisky lovers around the world love its smoky and maritime character. This special Islay character resonates in almost all Islay malts, each with its own flavour.

Where is the Lagavulin Distillery? Lagavulin is located in the village of the same name on the south coast of the island of Islay in Scotland.

What does Lagavulin mean? The translation is "The valley with the mill".

3 reasons to love Lagavulin

1) Because Lagavulin is a classic and the whisky is simply great.

2) Because the smoke is delicious and the whisky is simply great.

3) Because the whisky is simply great!

What does Lagavulin whisky taste like?

As with its two neighbours from the south coast, Laphroaig and Ardbeg, the same applies to Lagavulin: unmistakably Islay! Powerful, complex and at the same time round and soft. A full body with intense smoke, peat and sweet caramel. Like roasted grain and ham by the campfire, simply delicious.

Our Lagavulin recommendation

The Lagavulin 16 year old is the distillery's standard original bottling and a timeless classic. At 16 years old, this single malt has everything that characterises Lagavulin. An all-round successful, smoky scotch for those who like it powerful and peaty. A malt like a roaring fireplace.

A little history about Lagavulin

What is documented: The Lagavulin distillery in its current form was established in 1837 when two distilleries in the bay on Islay's south coast were merged. One of them had been founded in 1816 by John Johnston, the other a year later by one Archibald Campbell. It is no longer possible to say exactly how much of which building is now part of today's Lagavulin distillery. In general, the founding year of the "first-born parent", i.e. 1816, is given as the year Lagavulin was founded. Around the turn of the century, Lagavulin belonged to the extremely enterprising Peter Mackie for some time. Among other things, he created the successful "White Horse" blend and built another distillery called Malt Mill on the site in 1908. However, this has long since closed and the former malt house is now home to Lagavulin's Visitor Centre.

A fictional Malt Mill played a leading role in the 2012 film "Angels' Share". It is interesting to note that owner Diageo did not initially believe in the success of the highly smoky single malt. It was advertised in the Classic Malts Collection with other typical representatives of their whisky regions. Who would have thought it: Lagavulin is now the most successful single malt in the Classic Malts range.

Figures & Facts about Lagavulin

Address: Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, PA42 7DZ

Founded: 1816 by John Johnston

Owner: Diageo

Status: active

Region: Islay Whisky

Whisky type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Smoke content: Heavily peated/ heavily peated/ heavily smoky approx. 35 - 40 ppm

Water: Loch Sholum & Lochan Sholum

Mashtun: Full Lauter, stainless steel,4.4 tonnes

Washbacks: 10, larch

Fermentation: 55 hours

Bourbon stills: 2 wash stills (12.300 litres), 2 spirit stills (12,900 litres)

Capacity: approx. 2,600.000 litres

Visitor Centre: Yes

Phone: +44 (0)1496 / 302749

Website: www.malts.com