Laphroaig is a distillery on Islay’s south (Kildalton) coast, about a mile east of Port Ellen, founded in 1815 by the Johnston brothers. It makes intensely peated, medicinal whisky using its own floor maltings. Tours run from one to four and a half hours and should be booked ahead; since June 2026 it is roughly a 25–30 minute drive from the Port Askaig ferry.
Part of our Islay Whisky Guide
What makes Laphroaig distinctive?
Laphroaig (拉弗格) is the most outspoken of Islay’s peated malts: iodine, seaweed and a medicinal smokiness that people tend to love or hate on first sip. Part of that character comes from its own floor maltings, where barley is still turned by hand and dried over peat smoke — something only a handful of Scottish distilleries still do.
The distillery was founded in 1815 by the Johnston brothers and sits on the shore just east of Port Ellen, with a glass-fronted stillhouse holding seven stills. Today it is generally reported to belong to Suntory Global Spirits.
Fans can join Friends of Laphroaig, running since 1994: registering a bottle barcode online gives you a lifetime lease on a square foot of Islay, and members can claim their “rent” — a dram or miniature — when they visit.
Which Laphroaig whiskies should you try?
The core range is usually built around the 10 Year Old and its cask-strength version, plus expressions such as Quarter Cask, Lore and Triple Wood. The line-up has changed in recent years, so ask at the visitor centre what is currently being poured. The 10 Year Old is the classic benchmark if you are new to peat.
See the 3-day itinerary, whole-vehicle prices and availability.
View the Islay private tour →Which Laphroaig tours can you book?
| Experience | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse 1 Experience | 1 hour | Includes a bottle to take home |
| Distiller’s Wares Tour | 2 hours | Deeper look at production |
| Lessons in Laphroaig | 4.5 hours | Extended, hands-on experience |
| A Walking Tour of Laphroaig | 4.5 hours | Includes time out on the land |
Laphroaig does not publish prices on its tour pages, so check current prices on the official site or ask when booking. Booking ahead is advised: email tourbookings@laphroaig.com or call +44 1496 302418. We can arrange it for you.
Visitor-centre hours (2026): April–September daily 09:45–17:00; October–December daily 10:00–16:30. January–March hours were not confirmed, so check before travelling.
How does Laphroaig fit into an Islay route?
Laphroaig is the first of the “Kildalton three” along the south-coast road: Lagavulin is a couple of miles further east and Ardbeg a little beyond, so the three make a natural full day. Our Lagavulin and Ardbeg guides cover the next stops.
Since 2 June 2026 the Port Ellen ferry terminal has been closed (reopening expected around 2029), so every sailing from Kennacraig lands at Port Askaig, around 21 miles away. Allow roughly 25–30 minutes’ drive to Laphroaig and plan a long tour for a day when you are not catching a boat. See the Islay ferry guide.
Why visit Laphroaig with a private driver?
Scotland’s drink-drive limit is lower than in the rest of the UK, so in practice whoever drives cannot join the tasting. Distillery “driver’s drams” to take away help, but you still miss tasting with the expert. With a private driver, everyone in your group tastes, bottles ride safely in the car, and the day is planned around tour slots rather than ferry anxiety. If a sailing is cancelled, our driver rebooks the earliest one.
Our 3-day Islay whisky private tour is priced per vehicle: £2,274 for 1–2 guests, £2,892 for 3, £2,910 for 4 — including the Toyota Alphard, a bilingual driver-guide, fuel and parking, the return ferry for car and passengers, and two hotel nights on Islay. Distillery tours are paid at the distillery’s own price; we can book them for you.
See the 3-day itinerary, whole-vehicle prices and availability.
View the Islay private tour →Frequently asked
Do you need to book a Laphroaig tour in advance?
Yes, booking ahead is advised, especially in summer. Contact tourbookings@laphroaig.com or +44 1496 302418, or ask us to book it as part of a private tour.
How far is Laphroaig from the Islay ferry?
Since the Port Ellen terminal closed in June 2026, ferries arrive at Port Askaig, around 21 miles and roughly 25–30 minutes’ drive from Laphroaig.
What is Friends of Laphroaig?
A free membership, running since 1994, that gives you a lifetime lease on a square foot of Islay. Members can claim a dram or miniature as “rent” when they visit the distillery.