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.

An Islay single malt distilled at Laphroaig and aged for at least 15 years. A version bottled from the late 2010s. Laphroaig 15 Year Old was introduced in the mid-1980s (1985-1986). Over the years, the label design went from a “15” version written in red to red and white at the start of the 1990s, and finally to black in the late 1990s. The stopper has also changed. A screw cap was used until the mid-1980s, before gradually being replaced by cork. Bottle equipped with a cork stopper and short green and white foil seal.