The peated side of Arran in the glass: LAGG
The LAGG Distillery on the Isle of Arran is one of the more promising newcomers in the Scottish fold of distilleries. You’ll forgive me that I will use the full capital letters spelling sparingly, to help along the readability of this blog. Since the first three inaugural bottlings (reviewed here) the shops have not been flooded with new releases. I think I kind of like this approach. Checking the Whiskybase entries for Lagg, there are mostly entries for distillery exclusive releases. The small batch expression is not broad yet either. I found an ex Tokaj wine edition for the UK, and the one we will review today that received a finish on Palo Cortado casks. To make our own archives complete, we will add tasting notes for the core range releases: the Kilmory (bourbon) and Corriecravie (sherry) editions.
LAGG Small Batch, bottled at 56,2 % abv
First things first: This Lagg Small Batch was finished in former Palo Cortado sherry casks. Bottled on the first of May 2025 and peated to 50 PPM. Sample from whiskyves.nl
Upon Sipping: Nice, yellowish hue over the liquid, giving it a peachy colour. That is also the smell of it, smoky peaches and apricot, stewed together and put into a bottle. Very lovely nose, quite a good balance, even though I am not the biggest fan of Palo Cortado sherry influences. This works. The by now traditional Lagg character of limestone, pebbles on the beach and sweet peat are all there as well. The sherry influence created a very sweet arrival on the palate, and there it remains with soft wooded notes, until you finish and get the full blast of the smoke and briny peat. Still, I would say this is more vegetal than maritime in nature. That must be the impact of the sherry cask. It feels all rather balanced and well-integrated, but no fireworks. A very decent offering. With water not too much difference, but I do pick up a nice ashy note.
Word to the Wise: This small batch bottling displays the power of the cask without losing the integrity of the spirit. The best of both worlds, you could say. My only complaint is that it stays a bit on the safe side perhaps. Some danger that I find in the earlier bottlings by Lagg is missing.
Score: 86 points.
LAGG Kilmory Edition, bottled at 46 % abv
First things first: I bought my bottle as soon as it hit the shelf, so this one bottled in 2023. Lagg single malt matured on bourbon casks.
Upon Sipping: Ultra pristine clean peat whisky, all on the smoke and lemons. Then the farmyard enters the conversation. Oh yes, lots of hay and cow droppings, with mud under your boots. Fresh cut grass and hints of smoked barley. This is a core representation of whisky ingredients if there ever was one. On the palate, it can’t really keep up with the promise of the nose, but still it delivers a nice and supple experience, with dry smoke and corn bread on the finish. I will refrain from using water, I poured my sample in a wet glass anyway and that was enough. The vanilla notes that I pick up after repeated sips make for a nice twist on the peaty character of this Lagg Kilmory. Good stuff for such a young whisky.
Word to the Wise: Impressively punching above its weight at this young age. I will be curious to follow the evolution of this Kilmory Edition.
Score: 86 points.
LAGG Corriecravie Edition, bottled at 55 % abv
First things first: A higher abv for this sherried Lagg. Bottled early July. A sherry cask finished expression.
Upon Sipping: All the beauty of the Kilmory, and then some! The red fruits and meaty aroma make for an impressive combination of smells coming from the glass. The finish in sherry was done just right for this Lagg Corriecravie. All the original power of the Kilmory is kept aboard, but the extra gifts from the cask but also the higher abv work well. At this higher strength, I do think Lagg shows a more ashy profile, which I like in this instance. The taste carries a sweetener now, like making the mistake to put sugar in your coffee, but on the other hand I am reminded of a nice venison steak with cranberry sauce on top. The is almost raw, leaning to medium. Remind me to one day place this next to my dinner and try that out.
Word to the Wise: Juicy and red-blooded whisky, much more robust than the Kilmory, but of course a variation on the theme of what the core Lagg should be.
Score: 87 points.