'Physician, heal thyself..."
Whilst I had not intended to be condescending (and apologise to Allied Distillers if that were so), perhaps you are being a bit hard on Poljot? ;-)
On a serious note, though, whilst I wholeheartedly agree that there can be room for both, I am not sure that I can go with you as far as 'that's a whole different animal'. Respectfully, nowhere in the malt universe do you get two such distinctive drops from the same 'bloodline'. That distinctiveness, as I had understood it, comes from the floor malting enhanced by a peat roast utilising peat with an iodine-rich 'seaweed' contribution particular to Islay. It is not as pronounced in, say, Ardberg, as it is in the two under discussion. It is nowhere more pronounced than in Laphroiag, and if that is what one seeks (as often we do) then it is a very worthy drop. It exists in large dollops in Lagavulin also, but there is handled with greater finesse, or subtlety. It's a 'Laphroiag smoothy', if you will.
It sounds to me as if we are generally in furious agreement, however, and I would welcome the chance to share either or both with you at some point.
Cheers!
pplater.
Sweeping generalization - in good fun
Having sampled many an Islay malt, I disagree with your assertion on 2 levels. First, as others have pointed out, the intensity that Laphroaig provides is what I like most about it. Peat and iodine in spades, and the greater the flavour the better for me. I will admit that not everyone is able to appreciate this intensity in the same way....I would argue that one is not superior to the other, but simply different.
But a larger question - just exactly which Laphroaig are we comparing to the Lagavulin, and perhaps considering inferior? Just to put some perspective on the question, and address a generalization....I can assure you the Lagavulin you hold in such high praise is no where as smooth as this particular Laphroaig is - not by a long "shot." ;-)
FYI - watch included in photo to keep relevant to the forum. ;-)
The Laphroaig (10 Y.O.) is not for the faint of heart, that is for certain, but to imply it is in some way inferior is certainly off the mark in my opinion. With warmest regards, a "Friend of Laphroaig." 
Cheers, Al
PS - yes, yet another box to deal with after this bottle is gone.....
Game, set...
...and match. Consider the metaphorical towel thrown into the metaphorical ring.
Cheers (or should that be Slainte Mhath???),
pplater.
Na zdrowie!
And for the record I do drink Lagavulan as well - it is a fine drop.
Best regards, Al
Watch boxes are superflous.
There is no other way to say it.... watch boxes (e.g. IWC and Roger Dubois) are more than are wanted or needed . Let the omission of such useless and needless trappings be reflected in price reductions.
Carol
BUT....
I don't think that any manufacturer will cut his price if you take it wrapped up in a newspaper...
The box is like a beautiful dress on an excellent woman...
And, some of them are a work of Art, with a loupe included etc
And also a trend is developing among the expensive watches: the box is a watch winder to keep your automatic timepiece always ready.. let us hope that this trend will expand and then the boxes will have a raison d'etre...
Tassos
