Scotland, Isle of Islay. Distillery operational. Owner: Beam - Suntory

Few distilleries have inspired as much excitement among collectors as Laphroaig, and this with just a single expression of its single malt, the Laphroaig 10 Year Old. Nonetheless, since the end of WWII, it has released a large number of bottlings, each varying from one market to the next. Its heavily peated style has developed according to the barrels used for maturation (sherry/bourbon). Its ABV, varying from 40% to 60% for its cask strength bottlings, favours one characteristic of its profile over another. And yet, it is still the Laphroaig 10 Year Old and has been for 70 years and counting. This expression forms a collection of its own thanks to its numerous importers and labels, including Filippi Fausto to Bonfanti, Cinzano, R.H.Elsbach & Co and Carlton Import. Laphroaig is, however, also renowned for its outstanding vintages 1960, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980 and 1981 and versions aged 15 - 40 years. All in own, a world of its own.

A Laphroaig distilled in 1990 and bottled at cask strength in 2014 for the Old & Rare range, Douglas Laing’’s premium range launched in 2001 and today continued by Hunter Laing. Matured for 24 years in a refill hogshead. Hunter Laing was founded in 2013 by Stewart Laing, who co-directed his father Douglas Laing’’s business with his brother Fred before the pair parted ways. He was quickly joined in the new business by his sons Andrew and Scott, absorbing their company Edition Spirits along the way. Stewart Laing, who worked at Bruichladdich in his youth, dreamt of opening a distillery on Islay, a dream he realized in 2016 with the construction of Ardnaheo, where Jim McEwan oversees production. A limited edition of 285 bottles.