This 12–year–old expression, bottled at 43% ABV, encapsulates Lagavulin’s signature peaty and maritime characteristics, making it a beloved choice among whisky enthusiasts. While no longer part of the Classic Malts range, Lagavulin’s 16-year–old expression continues to be a perennial favorite.
A bottle of Lagavulin 12 Year Old Specially Selected Pure Islay Malt Scotch Whisky, bottled by White Horse Distillers. We estimate this was bottled in the early 1980s.
The label carries a royal warrant by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen.
Strength- 43%
Size 26 2/3 floz
Starting bid: £840.00
Item condition: New
Auction has not been started yet.
Start On: May 7, 2025 10:00 am
Ending On: May 14, 2025 3:00 pm
The distillery was run by John Johnston until 1835 at which point the distillery had a valuation of £1,103 9s 8d. (equivalent to £137,300 in 2023). It was taken over by Alexander Graham who installed his son Walter Graham as the distiller. Walter ran it until 1848 when he moved to Laphroaig and presumably his brother John Crawford Graham took charge. In 1849 improvements were carried out to extend the buildings and provide new roads and access. Later John Crawford Graham entered into a partnership with James Logan Mackie. John Crowford had other business interested in Glasgow and gradually lessened his direct influence over the distillery which left James Logan Mackie in charge from 1856. In 1878 Peter Mackie joined his uncle’s firm and in the mid-1880s, they established Mackie & Co. to market Lagavulin and other whiskies in London and further afield. Several legal battles ensued with their neighbour Laphroaig, brought about after the distiller at Lagavulin, Peter Mackie, leased the Laphroaig distillery. It is said that Mackie attempted to copy Laphroaig’s style. Since the water and peat at Lagavulin’s premises was different from that at Laphroaig’s, the result did not match. Peter Mackie took over as sole partner in 1889. In 1895 the two businesses amalgamated as Mackie & Co (Distillers) and began to blend White Horse using whisky from Lagavulin. In 1895, Mackie’s became a Limited Company. Peter was in charge until 1902 by which time he was in partnership with Andrew Air Holm. The partnership held a lease of Lagavulin for £800 per year for 50 years.
The White Horse brand became well-known for its quality and won many awards. In 1908 Mackie and Co were honoured by Royal Warrant Appointment as purveyors of White Horse whisky to King Edward VII.
In the early 1920s the distillery was sold off by Iain Ramsay to Peter Mackie for £16,000 (equivalent to £811,800 in 2023). In 1923 the firm was acquired by Buchanan Dewar Ltd who continued with the White Horse Brand. The company joined Distillers Company in 1925, which was acquired by Guinness in 1986, and Guinness merged with Grand Metropolitan to form Diageo in 1997.
Lagavulin is known for its producer’s use of a slow distillation speed and pear shaped pot stills. The two wash stills have a capacity of 11,000 litres (2,400 imp gal; 2,900 US gal) and the two spirit stills of 12,500 litres (2,700 imp gal; 3,300 US gal) each
Aged 12 year label missing on neck
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