Last Updated on August 26, 2025 by Leah Hall
Come with us as we take a tour of Lagavulin Distillery. Lagavulin is located on the island of Islay, Scotland.
Ah, Lagavulin. Most people when trying Lagavulin for the first time mention “smoky” as a descriptor. And they are right. Lagavulin has a reputation among Scotch lovers as peaty, smoky, and delicious.
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Islay is a whisky lover’s paradise, and Lagavulin Distillery is one of the main sites on the south side of the island. Lagavulin Distillery is a bucket-list stop for anyone who loves peaty, smoky and complex single malts. Tucked along the rugged southern coast it offers an unforgettable experience rooted in history and tradition. Make sure to check out Glenegedale House, where we stayed on Islay, too!
Lagavulin Distillery History
Lagavulin is one of the classic Islay single malt distilleries. It was established in 1816 officially, but other (illicit) distilling had been happening on the site long before then.
Today it stands as one of the classic Islay distilleries, beloved for smoky character in the rich world of whisky. Part of Diageo, Lagavulin has built a devoted following. Many fans were first introduced through the much-loved 16 Year Old whisky, often considered the benchmark Islay sip. The mix of sea spray, salt and peaty smoke makes for a delicious aura all around you. Lagavulin has some of the time-honored flavors of Islay with those tones of sea salt and the local area.
The distillery offers stunning sea views and lovely location. Lagavulin is easy to visit, because of the location on the island, and very near Ardbeg Distillery as well as Laphroaig. This is called the Three Distilleries Pathway and starts in Port Ellen for easy access to all 3 distilleries.
Lagavulin also hosts the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle along their coastline, which is easy to walk down to after your distillery tour. Check out Holyrood Distillery, Lindores Abbey and Glenmorangie Distilleries, too! If you are in Edinburgh make sure to eat at Duthchas!
Lagavulin Distillery Tour
Lagavulin offers a wide variety of different kinds of tours, all at different price points.
- Warehouse 3 Experience: 1.25 hours, £60, in the warehouse there are cask draws to taste different stages of maturation of whiskies
- Distillery Exclusive Experience: 2 hours, £110, tour of production areas and stillhouse. Tasting in Mackie Lounge with 5 tastings
- Classic Tour: 1.5 hours, £22, 3 dram tastings, and a tour through the production
- Exclusive Tasting: 1.5 hours, £90, 5 tastings of exclusive whiskies, no tour included
- North to South: 7 hours, £350, this is an epic tour that starts at Caol Ila, with a tour and stillhouse access, 5 tastings and lunch. Then, you are bussed to Lagavulin distillery to have a tour and 5 tastings as well. Transportation is provided to and from your lodgings.
All tours and tastings include the great hospitality at Lagavulin with welcoming, knowledgeable staff and a sense of tradition.
One of the highlights is the Warehouse 3 experience, which we got to do. These tastings often feature rare or limited whiskies you won’t find anywhere else. Jay even got to do one of the cask draws, which was a fun experience. The star attraction, for most, is the Lagavulin 16, a rich, smoky, and unforgettable signature whisky.
The staff all brings deep knowledge and passion, making the whole experience feel more like a shared love of whisky than a formal tasting.
Some things we learned is that Lagavulin Distillery only has room for 7,000 casks, so the whisky is casked and matured on the mainland. Three times a week a tanker comes to take the whisky off of the island to do so. We saw some of these big tanker trucks on the ferry!
Malt Mill Bar
If you would like to extend your tasting or tour experience, Lagavulin invites you to go to their Malt Mill Bar. You can enjoy a dram or 2, coffee, teas and some snacks. They are usually open 10:30-4.
Tips & Tricks
- Book tours well in advance – there are a lot of visitors in the summer, and these spots fill up quick. When we went, even 2-3 months out I missed out on a few of the experiences we wanted to do.
- Other distilleries – remember that Ardbeg and Laphroaig are very close, so you can do all 3 in a day if you want to.
- Transportation – there are limited public options. If you have a car you will have to have a designated driver. (The distilleries offer takeaway drivers drams, so you can try the whisky later on!) There are some taxis on the island, but not many, and bus schedules are limited. There are also some whisky tour guides available. We had a car that we brought over on the ferry, but if you come by plane you may not have the same option, but there are a few rental cars. There is free parking at the distillery.
- Weather – Islay is beautiful but unpredictable as far as weather goes. Plan layers and be prepared for wind and rain always, no matter the time of year.
Islay Information
Distilleries
Islay has 9 distilleries, with three of them within walking distance of Port Ellen. They also are the three that comprise the Three Distilleries Walk. This walk is comprised of Lagavulin and:
- Laphroaig
- Ardbeg
If you’re not a drinker, the walk is great by itself. But, it’s also interesting just to learn about the distilleries and whisky! Check out all the Scottish Whisky Regions, too! We also went to Glenfiddich Distillery and stayed at Glenmorangie House.
The other distilleries on the island are:
- Bowmore
- Bunnahabhain
- Bruichladdich
- Caol Ila
- Kilchoman
- Ardnahoe
Accommodations
- Glenegedale House
- The Machrie
- Port Charlotte Hotel
- Bridgend Hotel – we stayed here 1 night. The dinner and breakfast are lovely, as is the garden!
- Islay House
Places to Eat
- Peatzeria – Bowmore
- Sea Salt Bistro – Port Ellen
- Balaclava Byre – Port Ellen
- Bridgend Hotel – Bridgend
- Islay House Hotel – Bridgend
- Lochindaal Seafood Kitchen – Port Charlotte
- Kilchoman Cafe – Kilchoman Distillery
- Oyster Shed Cafe
Cheers!
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Other Distilleries to Visit
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