It’s been over 5 years since Lagg Distillery took its first middle cut. How time flies! I should hurry up and complete my review of the distillery’s core range, currently consisting of just two expressions. (The first part was published last year.) Today’s Lagg Kilmory Edition is said to represent the distillery character best.
The Lagg Kilmory Edition is named after the parish in which the village of Lagg is located. It’s also a small village not far from the distillery, consisting of not much more than a few houses and a church. Seemingly, there hasn’t been a shop or a public bar for a while now, but I’ll check out the current situation for myself soon. Just a few more days and I’ll be on Arran again.
Fully matured in first-fill bourbon barrels, the Lagg Kilmory Edition is bottled at a respectable 46% ABV. At the time of release, distillery manager Graham Omand said: “The Kilmory expression embodies the house style of Lagg which centres around the use of bourbon barrels with our peated spirit. […] Today our Lagg single malts represent the spirit and respect for our land that the people here can’t wait to share with the wider world.”
Lagg Kilmory Edition (46%, OB, 2023)
Nose: Hints of charred pear skin. Although I’ve never smelled the latter, that’s what the Kilmory Edition invoked. Touches of charred lemons and something floral as well. And let’s not forget the fresh hints of vegetal peat and banana peels. It’s young, but balanced and not necessarily immature.
Taste: Good oily texture, but I’ve come to expect that. Notes of porridge, but if you could make it with peat-smoked oats. Plenty of citrus, some crushed mint, pepper and ashes. Also just a touch of green olives. Clean, but not straightforward per se.
Finish: Medium length. Hints of lemons, some apple peel and wood smoke. Some white pepper too.
Photo: Whiskybase
