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 16 year old Laphroaig single cask (hogshead #3621) distilled in 2000. Kingsbury was founded in 1989 by Eaglesome, a luxury delicatessen in Campbeltown bought by J&A Mitchell & Co in the 1960s and converted into an independent bottler. Kingsbury’’s bottlings were reserved for the Japanese market and the brand was eventually bought by the Japanese group Japanese Import System. A number of Kingsbury’’s bottlings went down in history, including two single cask Ardbegs (sherry casks #922 and #923) and a Bowmore 1966. A limited edition of 272 bottles.