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 single cask (#141) Laphroaig 12 year old distilled in 1997 and bottled in 2009 by Highgrove. Part of Highgrove’’s profits are donated to the charity organizations of the Prince of Wales. Highgrove House is the Prince’’s country residence in Gloucestershire, England. From here, he has promoted organic, sustainable agriculture since 1985. With true green fingers, he has also made the estate famous for its various gardens, with a vegetable patch, a French and Oriental garden, etc. and a park. Other products from the estate and local artisans are also sold under the Highgrove label. Several casks of Laphroaig have been bottled for this range, an Islay distillery the Prince is particularly fond of, having visited it in 1994 and awarded it its Royal Warrant.