Laphroaig 10 Year Old Scotch Whisky
Laphroaig 10 Year Old Scotch Whisky is a 750mL Islay single malt bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof) for the US market, matured for ten years in ex-bourbon barrels of American oak at the distillery in Port Ellen, founded in 1815. It is the original Laphroaig — the foundation of the range — made with barley dried over an Islay peat fire. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 43% (86 proof) — US bottling
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 10 years
- Casks: Ex-bourbon barrels, American oak
- Style: Heavily peated Islay single malt
- Award: Best Single Malt Scotch 10 Years & Under, Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2019
- Origin: Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Scotland
The Original Laphroaig
Brothers Donald and Alexander Johnston founded Laphroaig in 1815, and the 10 Year Old is still made the way Ian Hunter — the last of the founding family to run the distillery — established it: barley malted in part in the distillery's own floor maltings (roughly a fifth of the total) and cold-smoked over peat in a kiln dating to 1840, spirit matured in ex-bourbon American oak, many of those barrels sourced from Maker's Mark in Kentucky. Hunter left the distillery in his will to Bessie Williamson, who had arrived as a typist in 1934 and became the only woman managing a Scotch distillery of her era; Laphroaig later became the only whisky to carry the Royal Warrant of the Prince of Wales, awarded in 1994. For the distillery's richest expression, see Laphroaig Lore, or browse the Laphroaig vendor page.
Tasting Notes
Per the producer: a natural, sparkling gold colour; bold peat smoke first, with seaweed and a hint of sweetness and salt; a full-bodied palate of smoky layers over surprising sweetness; and a long, lingering finish ending in a sweet-and-salty seaweed character.
How to Enjoy
Neat is the classic serve — the smoke lands first and the sweetness follows. A splash of water stretches the finish and brings the seaweed and salt forward. More heavily peated malts are in our Scotch whisky collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What proof is the US bottling of Laphroaig 10?
The US 750mL bottling is 86 proof — 43% ABV. The 40% figure on UK listings is the British/European 70cl bottling strength.
Is Laphroaig 10 Year Old peated?
Yes — heavily. Its barley is dried over an Islay peat fire, part of it in the distillery's own floor maltings, giving the bold smoke and seaweed character the 10 Year Old is known for.
What casks mature Laphroaig 10 Year Old?
Ex-bourbon barrels of American oak for the full ten years. Sherry-cask Laphroaig exists, but it is a separate expression — the 10 Year Old is a bourbon-cask malt.
The benchmark Islay malt at US bottling strength — order Laphroaig 10 Year Old online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.