Single Malt Limited Edition Distillery Only Release (((Bottled 2010)))
⏳ Drinking Window
As a distilled spirit, this single malt does not age further in the bottle and is ready to enjoy immediately. Unopened bottles will keep indefinitely when stored upright away from direct sunlight, while opened bottles are best consumed within 1 to 3 years to maintain their vibrant aromatic complexity.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Pungent blue cheeses like Roquefort, high-quality dark chocolate, smoked venison or cured meats
✨ Technical Specifications
Perched on the rocky shores of Islay's south coast, Lagavulin is steeped in history, with illicit distilling dating back to the 18th century before its official founding in 1816. The 'Distillery Only' Bottled 2010 release represents a rare, highly collectible expression crafted specifically for visitors making the pilgrimage to the distillery. This limited edition single malt captures the quintessential Lagavulin character—deep, medicinal peat smoke, coastal brine, and rich, sweet malt—refined by careful aging in selected oak casks. The slow distillation in pear-shaped stills and the damp, salty air of the warehouse maturation on the edge of Lagavulin Bay infuse the spirit with an unmistakable maritime complexity and a long, warming finish.
🍾 About the Producer
Perched on the rugged southern coastline of Islay, Lagavulin was officially established in 1816 by John Johnston, formalising centuries of illicit distilling along the sheltered cove beneath Dunyvaig Castle. Operating within an unforgiving maritime microclimate, the distillery draws peaty, mineral-rich process water from the upland Solum Lochs. Production relies on heavily peated barley and exceptionally deliberate methods: lengthy fermentations in larch washbacks precede distillation across four distinctive pear-shaped pot stills. Lagavulin famously executes one of the slowest double distillations in Scotland with wide middle cuts and high fill levels, maximizing copper interaction to sculpt a rich, oily spirit imbued with phenolic depth, smoked lapsang souchong, and iodine. Matured extensively in dunnage warehouses washed by sea spray, the resulting single malt balances pungent maritime brine and sweet oak tannins. Benchmark expressions include the iconic 16 Year Old, the cask-strength 12 Year Old annual releases, and sought-after mature parcels within Diageo's Prima & Ultima collection.