Laphroaig® Capsule Sells for a Record-Breaking £125,000 at Distillers One of One Auction

Laphroaig® Capsule Sells for a Record-Breaking £125,000 at Distillers One of One Auction

This rare 40-Year-Old Islay single malt is one of the last of its kind – a time capsule embodying Laphroaig’s uncompromising and distinctive character.

Islay, Scotland, 13th October 2025: Laphroaig, one of the world’s most distinctive single malts, made its debut appearance at the prestigious Distillers One of One auction on Friday, 10th October, with Laphroaig Capsule 40-Year-Old selling for £125,000. This is the highest price ever paid at auction for a bottle of whisky from this distillery. 

The winning bid was placed at Hopetoun House, Scotland, in partnership with Sotheby’s, with 100 percent of the hammer price – £100,000 – donated directly to benefit The Distillers’ Charity Youth Action Fund, empowering disadvantaged young people across Scotland to unlock opportunities and shape brighter futures.

Distilled in the early 1980s, this spirit is now extremely scarce and one of Laphroaig’s last surviving whiskies from this era. It was a time in whisky making on Islay defined by grit, resilience and uncompromising character - qualities embedded in every drop of this single malt. 

A striking blend of craftsmanship and whisky-making expertise, the vessel’s unconventional design embodies Laphroaig’s tenacious and bold character, shaped by its 210-year history. The flawless green crystal decanter, hand-blown by Glencairn Crystal, and the perfectly fitted platinum-plated capsule, showcases the whisky maker’s commitment to quality and precision. 

Dr. Calum Fraser, master blender, Scotch & Irish at Suntory Global Spirits, says: “The Laphroaig Capsule is a living archive of whisky making on Islay over forty years ago. It reflects the elements that make this spirit spectacular, from the island’s peat and the Hebridean salty air, to maturing in oloroso sherry-seasoned and ex-bourbon American oak hogsheads for 26 years, before being expertly married in oak until June 2022. I’m so proud it generated such interest at the auction, with the winning bid demonstrating just how special this whisky is.”

Daryl Haldane, private client director, Suntory Global Spirits, comments: “This auction unites the Scotch whisky industry like no other, celebrating extraordinary and rare spirits. Being part of this is a proud reminder of Suntory Global Spirits’ commitment to creating remarkable whiskies and having a positive impact on consumers and communities. We’ve supported this event from the beginning as a founder donor, raising over $1.3 million through Bowmore and Glen Garioch, and we’re delighted to now bring Laphroaig to the auction with this bold, unforgettable and record-breaking creation."

Laphroaig ® Capsule 40-Year-Old Tasting Notes
Bottled at 46.5% ABV

Nose: Soft peach, baked apple, rich and viscous manuka honey, charred citrus fruit notes of orange rind intertwined with charred tropical fruit notes of pineapple. Underneath this there are notes of soft fig, milk chocolate orange, sweet star anise spice along with hints of demerara cane sugar, crisp pastry and creamy vanilla ice cream.

Taste: Sweet and voluptuous on the mouthfeel, with floral spice initially, this dissipates to characters of aniseed, liquorice root, blackcurrant, stewed cranberries, honeycomb biscuits and homemade orange marmalade.

Finish: Sweet, slight peppery yet soft leading to a long, signature smoke with a nod to Lapsang Souchong tea leaves.

About Laphroaig® Whisky 
Laphroaig is the number one selling Islay single malt globally* and is synonymous with this famous whisky island. Established in 1815 by the Johnston brothers, Laphroaig has stayed true to its bold and unforgettable character for over 200 years.

Today, Laphroaig is one of only a handful of distilleries that continues to make whisky using traditional techniques like floor malting barley. From hand turning the barley and burning the peat at low temperatures to flavour the malt with cool smoke to slow distillation to maintain quality, this is what truly makes Laphroaig.  Our single malt whisky embodies the character of Islay in every drop of Laphroaig. From the distinctive peat which gives us our unique smoky character to the steadfast confidence and passion of our people, making Laphroaig unmistakable. The gives us our distinctive taste of Islay, salt and smoke with a surprising sweetness.  

Laphroaig’s commitment to bold character has earned us a dedicated following of brand fans, the Friends of Laphroaig.

Launched in 1994, the same year HM King Charles granted the brand a Royal Warrant, this global community has since grown to over 700,000 whisky lovers representing over 170 countries.

*By volume and value in 2024. Source: IWSR Global Database 2025.

For more information visit www.laphroaig.com

About Suntory Global Spirits
As a world leader in premium spirits, Suntory Global Spirits inspires the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. Known for its craftsmanship of premium whiskies, including Jim Beam® and Maker's Mark®; Japanese whiskies, including Yamazaki®, Hakushu®, Hibiki® and Toki™; and leading Scotch brands including Laphroaig® and Bowmore®, Suntory Global Spirits also produces leading brands such as Tres Generaciones® and El Tesoro® tequila, Roku™ and Sipsmith® gin, and is a world leader in Ready-To-Drink cocktails, with brands like -196™ (minus one-nine-six) and On The Rocks™ Premium Cocktails.

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, Suntory Global Spirits is driven by its core values of Growing for Good, Yatte Minahare and Giving Back to Society. The company’s Proof Positive sustainability strategy includes ambitious goals and investments to drive sustainable change and have a positive impact on the planet, consumers and communities. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.

For more information, visit www.suntoryglobalspirits.com and www.drinksmart.com