Lagavulin, pronounced La-ga-voolin in Gaelic, means "the mill in the valley." The distillery is located in the south of Islay, nestled between Ardbeg and Laphroaig. Lagavulin legally began distilling the same year as Bowmore, in 1816, although records indicate illicit whisky distillation on the site as early as 1742. The result is a single malt with a distinctive peaty, salty, and smoky profile typical of Islay. A man named John Johnston took out the first license. Originally, there were two distilleries operating on this site, the first established in 1816 as "Kildalton" and the second in 1817 named Lagavulin. There were also other small distilleries on the same site, Malt Mill Distillery and Ardmore Distillery. In 1862, it was purchased by John Logan Mackie. This gentleman is a blender, he is also the uncle of Peter Mackie, the one who will create the famous White Horse blend in 1890. In 1908, Mackie will lose a court case during which he is deprived of the possibility of using Laphroaig whisky. It is following this dispute that one of the legends of whisky is born. Mackie will want to produce his own "Laphroaig", he will install new stills on his site and even poach staff from Laphroaig, he will call it Malt Mill, the famous Malt Mill which Ken Loach was inspired by in his film The Angels' Share. This new whisky is produced in very small quantities until 1962, but Mackie will never succeed in imitating Laphroaig. Malt Mill will be included in the production of Lagavulin and will disappear. The place where this famous whisky, which no one has ever tasted, was distilled still exists; it is the visitor center of the current distillery. Lagavulin closed its maltings in 1974, and suffered the shock of the 1980s, when its stock dwindled. Today, the distillery operates continuously to supply its famous 16-year-old whisky, which joined the Classic Malts range in 1989. A 12-year-old version is produced on a limited basis, as well as a Distillers Edition version, which is intended for experienced enthusiasts due to its complex and unique aromas. To celebrate its 200th anniversary, the distillery produces an 8-year-old version, with a completely different character from the rest of the range. Since 1997, it has been owned by the Diageo group.