Earlier this week, new research was released that revealed the top 10 whisky distilleries in Scotland.
Using factors such as Google reviews, TripAdvisor reviews, and social media views and hashtags, whisky experts at The Cask Connoisseur assigned each distillery an overall score. Placing first was the Laphroaig Distillery in Port Ellen on the Island of Islay.
Laphroaig is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery named after the area of land at the head of Loch Laphroaig on the south coast of the island. Pronounced la-froyg, its whisky has a rich and unmistakable taste.
The distillery was established in 1815 by brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston from the Clan Donald. While the latter's family owned Laphroaig until the 1960s, Donald himself is said to have tragically died in 1847 after falling into a vat of partially-made whisky.
In the following years, word of Laphroaig's delicious whisky began to spread and it continued to grow. According to the Laphroaig website, leading whisky journalist Alfred Bernard said in 1887: "The whisky made at Laphroaig is of exceptional character."
After decades of continued success, the distillery was sold to Seager Evans & Co—later known as Long John International—in 1967. With the backing of an international company, Laphroaig's reputation continued to grow worldwide.
The distillery was sold again in 1990, this time to Allied Spirits, a subsidiary of Allied Lyons—later known as Allied Domecq. A few years later, Laphroaig 10 Year Old became the world’s fastest-selling single malt.
In 1994, the distillery also received a visit from the then-Prince of Wales. While at the distillery, His Royal Highness gave it his Royal Warrant—the only whisky to have received such an honour.
As stated on the Laphroaig website, Charles is said to have told the manager that the distillery makes "the finest whisky in the world".
A few years later, in 2005, Allied Domecq was acquired by Pernod Ricard, which immediately sold Laphroaig to Fortune Brands. In 2011, it rebranded as spirits specialist Beam, Inc.
The 2000s also saw another Royal visit, when Charles came to Laphroaig to celebrate his 60th birthday in 2008.
Today, the distillery is open to visitors who wish to learn more about its history and the art of distillation. Laphroaig also offers special tours and tastings, where guests can taste drams from different casks.
More information can be found on the Laphroaig webite.
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