The Lagavulin Distillery is located in a small bay on the south coast of Islay, near the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle. In the 1830s, two whisky distilleries remained in the bay, which merged in 1837 to form the Lagavulin Distillery. The aroma of the whisky is dry and the smokiness has a hint of dried peat, but all the nuances are balanced without any of the aromas fighting for dominance. The taste is initially sweet, malty and with a slight addition of sherry, but then becomes dry and smoky. The finish is almost bitter, with a persistent nuance of peat smoke and salt. Lagavulin has been described as the most noble of the Islay whiskys.