The Most Richly Flavoured of All Scotch Whiskies
Founded in 1815 by Donald and Alexander Johnston, Laphroaig (pronounced "La-froyg") takes its name from the Gaelic "lag phroaig," meaning "hollow by the broad bay." The distillery sits directly on the shoreline, where Atlantic waves crash against the warehouse walls.
Laphroaig holds Royal Warrants from both Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II, recognizing its exceptional quality. The distillery is unique in maintaining its own traditional floor maltings, using local peat cut from the nearby Glenmachrie bog, giving Laphroaig its distinctive medicinal, seaweed-like character.
The "Friends of Laphroaig" program has over 700,000 members worldwide, each owning a square foot of Islay land. This unique marketing approach reflects the passionate loyalty Laphroaig inspires—you either love it or hate it, but you'll never forget it.
Laphroaig's distinctive medicinal and maritime single malts
The flagship. Medicinal, with seaweed, iodine, and sweet peat smoke balanced by vanilla oak.
Double-matured in smaller quarter casks for enhanced wood interaction and intensity.
Mature elegance with developed complexity, balancing smoke with fruit and spice.
Uncut and unfiltered, showcasing Laphroaig's raw intensity at cask strength.
Laphroaig maintains traditional floor maltings on-site, using local peat from Glenmachrie bog (40-50 ppm phenols). This creates the distinctive medicinal character.
Oregon pine washbacks ferment for 48-72 hours using their own strain of yeast. The maritime location influences the fermentation process.
Seven copper pot stills of varying sizes, including unique flat-topped stills. The unusual still shapes contribute to Laphroaig's distinctive character.
Maturation in American bourbon barrels and European oak sherry butts in warehouses positioned directly on the shoreline, where sea spray influences aging.
Last updated: 2026-08-28
A journey through Laphroaig distillery, starting in the historic floor maltings and revealing the secrets and traditions along the way. The guide takes guests through every stage of production, from malting to maturation, with a tutored tasting experience.
£20
Experience the process of Laphroaig from Grain to Glass. Discover how traditional methods are used to malt and smoke barley onsite. Guides take guests through the complete whisky-making process, from raw ingredients to finished spirit.
£60
Explore the whisky at the Heart of Laphroaig. The host helps guests explore the whisky that has defined Laphroaig as one of the world's most distinctive single malts. This is a tasting experience without a production tour component.
£40
An exclusive look into the current expression and archive of Laphroaig. Selected from the private collection of legacy bottles, this tasting is a rare chance to experience historic Laphroaig expressions alongside contemporary releases.
£120
Port Ellen
Isle of Islay
PA42 7DU
Mon-Sun: 9:30 - 17:30
Winter Hours: 10:00 - 16:00
*Check website for seasonal variations
CalMac ferries to Port Ellen. Laphroaig is 1 mile east of Port Ellen along the coast.
Free parking available. Follow signs from Port Ellen along the coastal A846.
Pleasant 20-minute walk from Port Ellen along the seafront path.
Visit your square foot of Islay if you're a member. Collect your annual rent!
1 mile east. Next stop on the Kildalton distillery trail.
2 miles east. Complete the "big three" south coast distilleries.
Historic maltings facility, now being restored alongside Port Ellen Distillery.