About Laphroaig Lore Single Malt Scotch Whisky

In 1815, Donald and Alexander Johnston began leasing nearly 1,000 acres of land on the island of Islay. Their intent was to use the land in order to raise and sell cattle and as a result, they began growing barley to be used as feed for their livestock. Following a particularly bountiful harvest, the brothers distilled the excess grains they had grown into whisky, and sold it to the inhabitants of the island. Soon thereafter, the brothers found it more profitable to distill whisky rather than raise cattle, and Laphroaig (pronounced La-froyg) Distillery was born.

For over a century, the distillery would remain in the hands of one of Johnston’s descendants. In 1954, however, Ian Hunter passed away childless and bequeathed the distillery to Bessie Williamson, a secretary that had been working at the distillery for two decades. Hunter was incredibly protective of the distillery — while he slowly revealed its secrets to Williamson after she had earned his trust, Hunter prevented a cooper who was employed at the distillery from publishing his memoirs because they described the workings of the distillery in too great a detail.

Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky is one of the most flavorful and intense whiskies made anywhere in the world. During Prohibition, it was one of the few whiskies still legally imported into the United States, as it was considered a medicinal spirit. Laphroaig Single Malt is made from the finest Scottish barley, which is then malted at the distillery and smoked over a peat flame. Unlike other distilleries which source peat from the Scottish mainland, the peat used to smoke Laphroaig barley is made from the heather, mosses and lichens of Islay and adds a distinct iodine-like flavor to the whisky. After the barley has been malted and peated, it is fermented before being twice-distilled through Laphroaig’s copper-pot stills. The unique stills have an usually flat base and flat surfaces, which contributes to the overall intensity of the whisky.

Described by Laphroaig’s distillery manager, John Campbell, as “the richest of the rich,” Laphroaig Lore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky pays homage to the distillery managers of Laphroaig’s past, the custodians who have encapsulated and continued the distillery’s rich craft for generations.

“From the founding of Laphroaig, these custodians have each made their own mark, whether it was drying the malting barley at lower temperatures than most, using two sizes of spirit still, pioneering the use of ex-bourbon barrels, or reintroducing the quarter cask to Scotch whisky-making,” says Campbell. “Each of these decisions has made Laphroaig the unique, premium whisky it is today. We make the whisky we make because of what has been passed on down to us.”

Laphroaig Lore Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is aged in a number of casks, combining the best of first-fill bourbon barrels, quarter casks and Oloroso Sherry hogsheads. As a result, the whisky has a rich, smoky aroma with notes of ocean spray and ash. The palate, which is filled with bitter chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel and roasted chestnuts, leads beautifully to a finish complete with malt grain, chocolate chip cookies, tropical fruit and, of course, lots of peat.

“It’s our story, bottled.” says Campbell.