Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Lagavulin single malt Scotch whisky is one of Islay’s most iconic names, renowned for its deep, smoky character, maritime complexity, and luxurious texture. Founded in 1816 by John Johnston on the island’s rugged southern coast, the distillery quickly became part of Islay’s whisky heritage. Its location between fellow peat powerhouses Laphroaig and Ardbeg places it at the heart of Islay’s smoky tradition, yet Lagavulin’s style is distinctly its own — rich, slow, and layered.

The name Lagavulin comes from the Gaelic Lag a’ Mhuilinn, meaning “hollow by the mill,” a nod to the small bay it overlooks. The distillery takes its water from the Solan Lochs and uses heavily peated malt sourced from the Port Ellen Maltings, giving the whisky its hallmark smoky backbone.

One of the key factors behind Lagavulin’s flavour is its unusually slow distillation process. Spirit runs take significantly longer than at many other distilleries, allowing for maximum copper contact and a dense, oily texture. This patience, combined with long maturation — often in ex-bourbon barrels and sometimes in sherry-seasoned oak — produces a spirit of remarkable depth and balance.

The core range is anchored by the legendary Lagavulin 16 Year Old, widely regarded as one of the greatest single malts ever bottled. With its combination of peat smoke, dried fruit, maritime salt, and silky sweetness, it has become a benchmark for Islay whisky. Other key releases include:
• Lagavulin 8 Year Old - a fresher, more vibrant take on the house style, first released for the distillery’s 200th anniversary.
• Lagavulin Distillers Edition - finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks for added richness and sweetness.
• Lagavulin 12 Year Old Cask Strength - a powerful annual release that showcases the distillery’s smoky intensity in its purest form.

Lagavulin has also been a star of Diageo’s Special Releases programme, offering older and experimental bottlings that are now highly collectible. Independent bottlings are rare due to tight stock control, but when available, they often highlight different cask influences or alternative sides to the distillery’s character.

Flavour-wise, Lagavulin is unmistakable: the nose is a complex interplay of bonfire smoke, iodine, sea spray, and dried fruit. On the palate, it delivers a silky, almost oily texture, with waves of peat smoke, malt sweetness, sherry richness (in some expressions), and a hint of medicinal character. The finish is famously long, leaving lingering smoke, seaweed, and subtle spice.

The distillery’s setting and heritage also contribute to its allure. The whitewashed buildings sit on the shoreline, with warehouses exposed to the salt-laden Atlantic winds, a constant reminder that this is whisky born of place as much as process.

Our Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky range includes the essential 16 Year Old, the full spectrum of official bottlings, and rare limited editions. Whether you’re discovering Islay whisky for the first time or seeking a mature, smoky dram for a special occasion, Lagavulin offers an unrivalled combination of intensity, elegance, and history, a true classic in the world of Scotch.