Laphroaig Cask Whisky Investment
Laphroaig (pronounced ”le-froyg”) is one of 9 working distilleries on the island of Islay, which is one of the southern Hebrides islands and one of Islay’s, and indeed Scotland’s, most respected and well known brands. It’s a classic brand the distinguishing features of which are a slight peatiness and smokeyness, saltiness: a bit of iodine seaweediness brought about by the malting floors being close to the sea, a mossy tinge plus a fruity tones augmented by a light spice. It’s caramelly with a hint of ginger.
Islay remains the nexus of distilling in the Hebrides region with whisky production taking place at Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Kilchoman, Bunnahabhain, Ardbeg, Ardnahoe and Caol Ila, with a revived Port Ellen and a new Elixir distillery coming on stream in 2021/22. This revived energy gives one a good inkling of the rapidly rising global demand worldwide for Islay’s whisky output. Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin are known collectively as the Kildalton distilleries as they are all distilled in the Kildalton parish on the southern end of Islay.
”Lag” is the Gaelic word for a hollow, alluding to what might be known as a gully or an area where a hillside first descends and then bottoms out to the sea or flatter land. ”Aig” means a bay or a sound and ”Pro” designates something large, so Laphroaig basically translates as ”Broad Hollow by the Bay” and that matches the lay of the land here, as it meets the sea. In fact the sea that borders the distillery site is also known as Loch Laphroaig (ergo the Loch at the Broad Hollow by the Bay.
Laphroaig is ostensibly Prince Charles’s favourite whisky brand and the heir to the British throne awarded a Royal Warrant of Appointment in 1994.
In 2005 there was a further sale to Jim Beam owners Fortune Brands, owners of Jim Beam Brands bought the site and Jim Beam is the current owner. In 2014 Jim Beam became a division of the Suntory Group.
