Lagg Batch 1 | Whisky Review

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Isle of Arran, Scotland.
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
Distillation and Maturation Process: The whisky is matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks. The distillery focuses heavily on barley, using the Concerto variety for this batch. It is a heavily peated whisky, with a phenol level of 50 ppm.
Age Statement: 3 years old, marking it as the first whisky they can legally release.
Color and Clarity: Not explicitly described, but the emphasis on ex-Bourbon casks suggests a lighter color profile.
Bottle Design: The design specifics are not detailed, but the stopper is noted for being round and not standing upright, which is found amusing by the host.

Balance of Flavors: A strong smokiness is balanced with lighter bourbon cask influences, including toffee, caramel, and vanilla notes.
Unique Characteristics: The whisky combines hefty phenolic, smoky elements with a sweetness and lighter notes typical of bourbon cask maturation. It's described as having a dry, possibly marine-flavored smokiness.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, its profile of heavy peat and bourbon cask influences suggests it might appeal to fans of peated Islay whiskies seeking something with a unique twist.

Distillery Background: Lagg Distillery is a new venture by the Isle of Arran Distillers, established in 2017 and opened in 2019. It represents the second distillery on the Isle of Arran, focusing on experimentation with barley and peat.
Production Insights: The distillery is described as medium-sized, not a craft distillery, indicating a significant production scale from the start. The emphasis is on transparency and detail, appealing to whisky enthusiasts interested in production specifics.

Isle of Arran Distillery's Role: The Isle of Arran Distillers' establishment of the Lagg Distillery underscores the company's dominance on the island, contrasting with regions like Islay or Skye, known for multiple distilleries. The Lagg Distillery enriches the whisky landscape of the Isle of Arran, offering a new peated option from the region.

"It's a sipping whisky where you have here barley variety Concerto... it's a heavily peated whisky."
"A strong smokiness combined with one of the lighter bourbon cask matured whiskies."
"It's a nice, dry smokiness that is really dominant."
"It's rather young... You do have touches to it that are a little bit young... It's definitely whisky."

Lagg Batch 1 is a 3-year-old single malt Scotch whisky from the Isle of Arran, matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon casks.
It features a heavily peated profile with a balance of smoky and sweet bourbon cask influences.
The distillery focuses on barley experimentation and transparency in production.
The whisky is part of a larger plan, with future batches to explore different maturation influences.
It's described as a promising start for the distillery, offering a unique peated option from the Isle of Arran.

Peat Lovers: Those who enjoy heavily peated whiskies will likely appreciate Lagg Batch 1's strong smoky profile.
Bourbon Cask Fans: Individuals who prefer the sweetness and lighter notes from bourbon cask maturation might find this whisky intriguing due to its balance of flavors.
Whisky Enthusiasts Interested in Production: The detailed information provided about the barley, peat, and maturation process will appeal to those who enjoy understanding the intricacies of whisky production.
New Whisky Explorers: While the whisky is described as young, its unique characteristics and the story behind the distillery make it a fascinating choice for those looking to explore different Scotch whisky regions and styles.