Laphroaig The Ian Hunter Story – Book 1

Laphroaig The Ian Hunter Story Book 1: Provenance is the first in the Ian Hunter series — an Islay single malt aged in first-fill bourbon barrels and non-chill filtered, presenting a combination of sweet, zesty, and medicinal notes that reflect Ian Hunter’s own most significant contribution to Laphroaig: his decision to introduce American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels into the maturation process following his travels to the United States.

Ian Hunter was the final member of the Johnston family to own and manage Laphroaig Distillery — a pioneering figure whose foundational contributions established the malting floors and the American oak ex-bourbon barrel maturation programme still in use today. The Ian Hunter series of five annual releases celebrates his enduring legacy. Book 1: Provenance honours the origin story — the specific maturation innovation that defines the character of Laphroaig to this day. Browse the full Scotch whisky collection at Wooden Cork.

Tasting Notes

• Character: Sweet, zesty, and medicinal notes from the first-fill bourbon barrel NCF maturation — Hunter’s own introduction of American white oak to the Laphroaig maturation programme reflected in every sip

Specs

• Distillery: Laphroaig, Port Ellen, Islay (est. 1815)
• Region: Islay, Scotland
• Series: The Ian Hunter Story (Book 1: Provenance)
• Maturation: First-fill bourbon barrels
• Filtration: Non-chill filtered

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the first-fill bourbon barrel specifically significant in Book 1?

Ian Hunter’s decision to introduce American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels after his US travels was the single most significant maturation innovation in Laphroaig’s history. First-fill bourbon barrels carry the greatest vanilla, caramel, and sweet oak character from the bourbon wood, directly reflecting Hunter’s original introduction. Book 1 honours that provenance. Limited allocation. Order online.