Lagavulin

Question 1

What whiskies make up Lagavulin’s core range?

Answer 1

8 Year Old (48% ABV) Ex-Bourbon
12 Year Old Cask Strength (56.8% ABV) Ex-Bourbon
16 Year Old (43% ABV) Ex-Bourbon
Distiller’s Edition (43% ABV) PX Seasoned American Oak
Offerman - released in 2019

Question 2

What level peat does Lagavulin use for it’s barley

Answer 2

35ppm from Port Ellen Maltings

Question 3

When was Lagavulin founded? And by whom?

Answer 3

1816 founded by John Johnson

Question 4

What is Lagavulin’s water source?

Answer 4

Lohan Sholum

Question 5

How many washbacks does Lagavulin have? What are they made of?

Answer 5

10 Washbacks
Siberian Larch

Question 6

How long are Lagavulin’s fermentations?

Answer 6

55 hours

Question 7

How many stills does Lagavulin have? What shape? What direction is their lyne arms?

Answer 7

2 Wash stills / 2 spirits stills
Plain shape
Downward Lyne Arms
Lagavulin’s spirits stills are LARGER than their wash stills

Question 8

What type of condensers does Lagavulin have?

Answer 8

Shell and Tube

Question 9

What is the strength of Lagavulin’s new make spirit? What is their fill strength?

Answer 9

New Make = 68-69%
Fill strength = 63.5%

Question 10

What type of barrels does Lagavulin use?

Answer 10

Vast majority are Ex-Bourbon Hogsheads

Question 11

What does Lagavulin mean in Gaelic?

Answer 11

Hollow by the mill

Question 12

What are 2 unique features of Lagavulin’s wash stills and spirits stills.

Answer 12

1) The spirits stills are larger than wash stills
2) the angle of Lyne arms descend at almost 45 degrees

Question 13

What is the grist ratio at Lagavulin?

Answer 13

70% Grits
20% Husk
10% Flour

Question 14

What are the mashing waters at Lagavulin?

Answer 14

1st. 16,400 liters @ 69C
2nd.5,000 liters @ 68C (added to wash back)
3rd 18,000 liters at 68-78C (added to wash back as sparge)

Question 15

What is the significance of Malt Mill in the history of Lagavulin?

Answer 15

In the early 1900’s Peter Mackie held the agency to sell both Laphroaig and Lagavulin in Glasgow. In 1907, the Johnstons removed the Laphroaig agency from Mackie.

Mackie blocked Laphroaig’s water supply in 1907 in an attempt to disrupt production.

Mackie was so upset that he attempted to create a miniature Laphroaig at Lagavulin that he called “Malt Mill.” It was meant to imitate Laphroaig closely (to be a replica).

Malt Mill could not reproduce Laphroaig’s taste no matter how had Mackie tried and eventually Malt Mill was absorbed into Lagavulin production.

Question 16

How much of Lagavulin production is currently earmarked for single malt?

Answer 16

98%