Origin: Arran Island (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 50%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-bourbon and ex-Rioja wine
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Lagg Distillery
Average price: € 100.00
Official website: www.laggwhisky.com
Vote: 80/100
A new distillery has found home on Arran for a few years now. It’s called Lagg, belongs to the same ownership as the one based in Lochranza, and is dedicated to the exclusive production of peated whisky. In 2017, construction work began, the first distillation took place on 19 March 2019, and on 10 April of the same year, the first cask (a sherry butt, for the curious) was filled at 63.5%ABV.
In 2022, the first official bottlings were released: three limited edition batches of 10,000 bottles, all aged exactly 3 years and made from Concert quality barley and peat (at a level of 50 ppm) from the North East of Scotland, offered at 50%ABV, in their natural colour and without chillfiltration. The first is aged 36 months in ex bourbon barrels. The second is aged 30 months in ex bourbon barrels followed by 6 months in ex oloroso sherry casks. The third, which we taste today, after the usual 30 months, replaces the ex sherry barrels with charred ex rioja Spanish red wine barrels.
Tasting notes
The colour is gold.
On the nose, as is to be expected, we immediately perceive peat, a peat with vegetal nuances, at least initially (burnt grass, to be clear), with an abrupt turn afterwards into grilled territories. A faint floral undertone (jasmine and wisteria) provides support for notes of salted caramel, roasted chestnuts and shortcrust pastry, with a touch of pepper.
On the palate, the pepperiness is decidedly more robust, while the vegetal side of the peat is confirmed, capable of slipping minute by minute into the grilled. An impression of very ripe yellow apple is accompanied by one of peach on an ashtray, then a mirage of Oransoda looms on the horizon.
The finish is short and peppery, with a caress of polished light wood and a hint of currant.
Needless to expect complexity after only three years of ageing. The most interesting aspect is the vegetal peat inflection that can change sides as you drink. For the rest, one must wait confidently for the future. After all, it is still early days: Rome was not built in a day and no great whisky in 36 months.