Its name likely comes from Gaelic and Old Norse, roughly translating to "hollow by the broad bay."
Indeed, the whisky distillery is situated in a natural hollow by the Kilbride Dam River, which serves as its water source.
Officially founded in 1815 by brothers Donald and Alex Johnston, there was already an illicit distillery on the property for personal use.
Until 1954, Laphroaig remained in family ownership. After several changes in ownership, the Japanese beverage manufacturer Suntory eventually took over operations in April 2014.