Lagavulin: History, Anecdotes and Iconic Bottles

The History of Lagavulin: The Mill of the Small Valley

Lagavulin, or more accurately, "lag a’mhuilin"—which means "the mill of the small valley" in Gaelic—is not just a distillery, but the history of whisky itself.

Often, when I see a bottle of Lagavulin, I exclaim, “Laga first love”… the bottle that made me fall in love with this wonderful world.

Peter Mackie, the restless Peter, gave the distillery a legendary aura with the famous White Horse and, above all, the legendary Malt Mill (which also featured in Ken Loach's film Angels’ Share).

In fact, Peter Mackie decided to open a second distillery, the Malt Mill, out of spite toward neighboring Laphroaig. Peter was Laphroaig’s sales agent, but in 1907, they changed their policy and decided to start selling their whisky independently.

The dam issue even went to court, where Peter Mackie was ordered to restore the site to its original condition.

However, Malt Mill never managed to replicate Laphroaig. Although it produced an excellent whisky, it was forced to close in 1960, and today the wonderful Lagavulin visitor center stands in its place.

In 1974, the distillery abandoned its malting floor and began using malted barley from the nearby Port Ellen maltings.

Today, it is owned by Diageo.

Nick Offerman and Lagavulin

Fun anecdote: the great video of Nick Offerman ordering a Lagavulin and saying, “This is not Lagavulin,” the bartender responds, “This is Lagavulin,” but Nick doesn’t trust it and immediately heads to Islay, glass in hand, to have the distillery legend Ian McArthur taste it—who says, “That’s not Lagavulin!” Here’s the unmissable video link: https://youtu.be/HENOfXtjhh4?si=fD8mAMzcLhVxBTzJ

Lagavulin’s Iconic Bottles

• Lagavulin 16
  The undisputed classic of Lagavulin. With 16 years of aging, it’s a robust and complex whisky where the smoky peat blends perfectly with salty notes and dried fruits. A favorite of true whisky lovers.

• Lagavulin Distillery Edition
  A special edition that captures the essence of the distillery. Smoother than the 16, but with the same depth and smoky character. An elegant whisky, with a subtle touch of sweetness and wood—perfect for connoisseurs.

• Lagavulin 11 Offerman Edition
  Created in collaboration with Nick Offerman, this whisky is a tribute to his personality and passion for Lagavulin. Milder than others, with smoky notes, caramel, and spice. A fun and characterful whisky.

• Lagavulin 12 Special Release
  A limited edition released annually. Younger and more vibrant, the 12 is bold, with a salty flavor and slightly less intense peat, yet still complex. Ideal for those seeking a unique and special experience.