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 11 year old single cask (#800044) distilled in 1998 and bottled in 2010. A.D. Rattray was founded in 1868 by Andres Dewar Rattray, who at the time was a wine, rum and olive oil importer. He also bought, stored and blended malt and grain whiskies. After his death in 1910 and difficulties in the 1920s, the business ended up in the hands of William Walker in 1938, whose daughter married Stanley P. Morrison the following year. Stanley P. Morrison’’s son Stanley Walker Morrison bought A.D. Rattray from his aunt in 1993, a year before Morrison Bowmore was bought by Beam Suntory. The brand was relaunched in 2002, releasing the Cask Collection in 2004. This is a limited edition of 616 bottles.