Founded in 1815 by the Johnston family, and run for many years by Mrs. Wishart Campbell, the distillery produces Scotland's most virile whisky, and was the only one, or almost the only one, to be run by a woman. Laphroaig malts its own barley and draws its peat (very dense and very black) from the surrounding area. The latter is said to give Laphroaig its distinctive, controversial taste. Some find it too smoky and violent, while others adore its violence and heady aromas.