Lagavulin Distillery
Lagavulin 16
From 97 EUR from 1 retailers
Lagavulin 16 Year Old represents the pinnacle of Lagavulin Distillery's craft, delivering one of Islay's most iconic heavily peated single malts with extraordinary depth and maritime character.
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Islay
Number of retailers: 1
Chateaunet
France
Lagavulin 16
Standard delivery 1-3 business days
More information
Producer
Lagavulin Distillery is one of Islay's most celebrated single malt producers and a benchmark for heavily peated Scotch whisky. Officially established in 1816, the distillery occupies a sheltered bay on Islay's southern coast, between Ardbeg and Laphroaig, in the village of Lagavulin. Its whiskies are defined by dense peat smoke, maritime salinity and remarkable depth—hallmarks of a distillery that has remained dedicated to a singular, uncompromising Islay style for more than two centuries.
Quick Facts
- Founded: 1816
- Founders: John Johnston
- Location: Lagavulin, Port Ellen, Islay, Scotland
- Whisky region: Islay
- Whisky type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Signature expression: Lagavulin 16 Year Old
- Production hallmark: Pear-shaped copper pot stills and slow distillation
- House style: Heavily peated, maritime, with peat smoke, iodine, dried fruit and warming spice
- Peat levels: Approximately 35–40 phenol parts per million
- Cask types: Predominantly ex-bourbon and European oak
- Water source: Solan Lochs
- Owner: Diageo
The Bay Below Lagavulin House
The distillery takes its name from the Gaelic *lag a'mhuilinn*, meaning "hollow by the mill". Though officially founded in 1816 by John Johnston, illicit distillation is believed to have taken place on the site well before legal production began. The distillery's location in a natural bay offered sheltered access to boats, water and peat—resources that defined early whisky-making on Islay.
By the mid-19th century, Lagavulin had consolidated its position among Islay's leading distilleries. Its whiskies were already recognised for their power and distinctive maritime character, shaped by proximity to the sea and the heavy peat that would become the distillery's signature.
Peat, Slow Distillation and Time
Lagavulin malts barley to phenol levels of around 35 to 40 parts per million, among the highest on Islay. This intensely peated malt forms the foundation for the distillery's dense, smoky new-make spirit. Distillation takes place in pear-shaped copper pot stills, and the process is deliberately slow, with exceptionally long fermentation times and unhurried spirit runs that contribute layers of complexity and weight.
Water drawn from the nearby Solan Lochs is used throughout production. The spirit is then filled into casks—primarily ex-bourbon American oak, with some maturation in European oak—and left to mature in coastal warehouses where the influence of sea air adds further depth and salinity.
The result is whisky with pronounced peat smoke, iodine, seaweed and medicinal notes, balanced by dried fruit, dark chocolate, leather and sweet malt. Extended ageing softens the intensity without diminishing power, revealing a refined, multi-dimensional character.
The Distillery's Defining Expression
Lagavulin 16 Year Old stands as the distillery's most recognised bottling and one of the most iconic Islay single malts. Matured for a minimum of sixteen years, it exemplifies the house style: rich peat smoke, maritime brine, dark fruit and warming spice, woven together with remarkable balance and length.
The portfolio also includes Lagavulin 8 Year Old, introduced to celebrate the distillery's bicentenary in 2016, which offers a more direct and vibrant expression of the distillery's peated character. The Distillers Edition, finished in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, layers sweetness and dried fruit complexity over the distillery's smoky foundation. Limited annual releases and special cask-strength bottlings have made Lagavulin a consistently sought-after name among collectors and Islay enthusiasts.
Lagavulin remains a distillery defined not by innovation or reinvention, but by an unwavering commitment to a style that has been refined and preserved across generations.
Country
Region
Islay
Islay is widely regarded as the birthplace of heavily peated single malt Scotch whisky and represents one of the most distinctive and revered whisky-producing regions in the world. Located off the west coast of Scotland in the Inner Hebrides, this small island combines centuries of distilling tradition with exceptional natural resources, producing whiskies of remarkable intensity and character. For collectors and enthusiasts, Islay malts are synonymous with bold maritime flavours, medicinal peat smoke and uncompromising individuality.
The island's unique terroir is defined by Atlantic exposure, peat-rich soils, cool maritime climate and abundant supplies of soft spring water filtered through ancient rock. These elements combine to create the signature Islay character: dense peat smoke, iodine, seaweed, tar and brine, balanced by underlying sweetness and complexity. While the southern distilleries along the coast produce the most intensely peated expressions, distilleries elsewhere on the island contribute lighter, more refined styles that showcase Islay's full stylistic range.
Islay is home to nine active distilleries, including internationally acclaimed names such as Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman and Ardnahoe. Each distillery maintains its own house style while contributing to the island's legendary reputation. Expressions from Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin are particularly celebrated among collectors for their exceptional depth, age-worthiness and benchmark status within heavily peated whisky. Limited editions and vintage bottlings from these producers consistently rank among the most sought-after single malts in the world.
Whether exploring iconic distilleries, collectible single malts or limited releases, Islay offers an unrivalled journey through one of whisky's most distinctive regions. Explore Islay whiskies, compare prices from trusted merchants across Europe and discover the best offers with Sipfind.
Grapes
History and Style
Lagavulin 16 Year Old stands as the flagship expression from Lagavulin Distillery, one of Islay's most revered whisky producers. This core range single malt has earned its place as a benchmark for heavily peated Scotch whisky, embodying the distillery's unwavering commitment to traditional production methods and the distinctive character of its coastal island home.
Quick Facts
- Country: Scotland
- Style: Heavily peated maritime Islay single malt
- Alcohol (ABV): 43%
- Tasting Profile: Peat smoke, iodine, seaweed, dried fruit, vanilla, dark chocolate, maritime salinity
- Food Pairing: Smoked salmon, strong cheeses, dark chocolate, oysters
- Consumer Profile: Peat lovers, Islay enthusiasts, serious whisky drinkers, collectors
- Age Statement: 16 Years
- Release Type: Core Range
Distillery and Production
Established in 1816 on the shores of Lagavulin Bay on Islay's southern coast, the distillery benefits from an exceptional location where sea spray and Atlantic winds influence every stage of maturation. The 16-year age statement represents an extended period of refinement in oak casks, allowing the spirit's bold peat smoke to integrate with sweeter maritime notes and complex barrel influences. This maturation period strikes an ideal balance between youthful vigor and mature sophistication.
Character and Style
The whisky showcases Lagavulin's signature style: intensely smoky with layers of iodine, seaweed, and medicinal peat, balanced by underlying sweetness of dried fruit, vanilla, and subtle sherry notes. On the palate, powerful peat smoke mingles with sweet malt, maritime salinity, and hints of dark chocolate and espresso. The finish is remarkably long and warming, with lingering smoke and oak tannins.
Whether enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water to open its complex layers, Lagavulin 16 pairs beautifully with smoked salmon, strong cheeses, or dark chocolate. Compare prices across premium retailers on Sipfind and secure this iconic Islay single malt for your collection.