When Tom’s review of this new Arran based distillery got published, I figured it was his enthusiasm for new distilleries that warranted the high rating of Lagg’s Kilmory Edition. Generally I tend to be a bit less thrilled with these young spirits, although I always get a bit giddy when a new one becomes available.

Anyway, Tom had a bottle and was willing to share some samples from it. I decided to get 10cl, since it still got a solid rating from him. And I published the post, which meant I had to try it for myself as well.

So Lagg Distillery, a new distillery on the Isle of Arran, on the opposite end of the island from where Arran / Lochranza Distillery is. The distillery is owned by the same company, and as said during the tour I enjoyed at Arran Distillery in March 2022, they’re making peated spirit.

Also, Arran used to make some peated spirit in their Machrie Moor range, but they are going to cease that since they also have Lagg to fill that gap in their offerings.

Unfortunately, Lagg was closed when we got to the place and we were not able to see the inside of the distillery. The outside is pretty, though!

But, enough babbling. Let’s find out whether I agree with Tom or not!

Sniff:
Young and fierce and definitely peaty. Not even that much smoke, but an awesome amount of earthy peat. Bonfires and charcoal, ashes. The works. There’s a lighter style of barley and straw, almost to a floral level with poppies and other wildflowers. Quite some dry oak as well.

Sip:
The palate is pretty fierce too, but continues down a really consistent track. Lots of barley, oak and floral notes. But also quite some charry peat and ash. It’s like a very, VERY peated Lowlands whisky. Wildflowers, hay, roses.

Swallow:
The finish shows a bit more youth with more straight forward alcohol and green malt. A rather long finish, with straw, barley, oak and soil.

This is indeed quite gorgeous and VERY promising. It runs the risk of having nowhere to go after a decade or so. But, of the new distilleries I’ve tried over the last few years, this one is among the most impressive…

Interestingly, I picked up quite some different flavors than Tom did, but I guess palates tend to do that.

88/100