Lagavulin vs Laphroaig: What’s the Difference?

Updated May 2026.

These are two Islay single malt Scotches from different houses. Lagavulin 16 is commonly 43% ABV on US labels, official page not used as a live tile. Laphroaig 10 is 40% or 43% by market. A 1.5-ounce pour at 43% is 1.08 NIAAA drinks. Sixteen years vs ten is an age statement (analog in Scotch: youngest whisky), not a score.

Related: Laphroaig vs Ardbeg, peated whiskey, single malt Scotch.

Age and market strength

Lagavulin 16 Laphroaig 10
Class Islay single malt Islay single malt
ABV used here Typical US 43% 40% or 43% by market
1.5 oz drinks 1.08 if 43% 1.00–1.08
Age language 16 years on typical lots 10 years on typical lots

A 750 mL 43% bottle is about 18 drinks. Four pours are about 4.3 drinks. Pour math: whiskey drinks.

Sources

  • Typical US Lagavulin 16 43%. Laphroaig 10 40/43 market split.
  • Scotch single-malt technical file. NIAAA December 2025.
  • 27 CFR 5.74

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