Lagavulin

Lagavulin is one of the most iconic and respected Scottish distilleries, famous for its intensely peaty whisky from the island of Islay. For many, it is Lagavulin that epitomizes the typical "Islay style" – smoke, sea, and unmistakable depth.

Lagavulin's roots date back to 1816, when it was officially founded by John Johnston in the south of the island of Islay, in Lagavulin Bay. Illegal distilling had been taking place in the area before, but Lagavulin was one of the first legally registered distilleries. A year later, another distillery was established in the neighborhood, which Johnston merged with Lagavulin.

In the 19th century, the distillery became known mainly thanks to Peter Mackie, a legendary whisky merchant who owned Lagavulin from 1889. Mackie was a passionate promoter of the brand and was also behind the creation of the famous blended whisky White Horse, where Lagavulin formed the heart of the blend.

Lagavulin is a typical representative of Islay whisky – it is made from heavily peated malt, which gives the whisky its characteristic smokiness. However, what sets it apart from other island brands is its long, slow distillation, which takes longer than at most distilleries. This process creates a dense, oily, and deep distillate.

Lagavulin is known for its complexity and strength. Typical flavor and aroma notes: intense peaty smoke, iodine, salt, and seaweed, reflecting its seaside location; dried fruit, plums, and raisins from aging in sherry casks; oily, robust texture; long, warm, and smoky finish.

Portfolio:
Lagavulin 16 Years Old – the brand's flagship, one of the most popular single malt whiskies in the world.
Lagavulin 8 Years Old – launched on the distillery's 200th anniversary (2016), a fresher and sharper version that has earned a permanent place in the portfolio.
Lagavulin Distillers Edition – a 16-year-old version matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, even sweeter and fruitier.
Lagavulin 12 Years Old Cask Strength – limited editions filled at cask strength, popular among connoisseurs for their "pure" character.

Lagavulin is produced in the town of Port Ellen, which is the center of whisky culture on Islay.

In the 1990s, Lagavulin whisky became iconic thanks to the TV series Friends, in which the character Ross mentioned it as his favorite whisky. It also gained enormous popularity thanks to the TV series Parks and Recreation, in which the character Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) was a big fan of Lagavulin. Actor Nick Offerman even teamed up with the brand to create a special edition called "Lagavulin Offerman Edition." Lagavulin belongs to the Diageo portfolio and is part of the prestigious "Classic Malts of Scotland" series.

Lagavulin is a whisky that embodies the soul of the island of Islay – strong, smoky, maritime, yet elegant. Since its founding in 1816, it has maintained its reputation as one of the best and most distinctive Scottish single malt whiskeys. For connoisseurs, it is a symbol of quality, and for beginners, it is an unforgettable experience that shows the difference between a smooth Speyside whiskey and a rough, smoky beauty from Islay.