Lagg Kilmory Edition - 46%
From the distillery
For the LAGG Kilmory Edition we have used Concerto malted barley and water from our own borehole. Our chosen yeast and fermentation time allows us to create the full-bodied flavour with a vibrant and fresh taste profile which is the cornerstone of what LAGG Single malt has to offer into the future. The influence of the peat combined with the vanilla and creamy influence of the American oak forms the backbone of the go-to LAGG Single Malt.
It can be said that the Kilmory expression embodies the 'house style of LAGG' which centres around the use of Bourbon Barrels with our peated spirit.
The Kilmory edition is 100% First-Fill Bourbon Barrel matured and bottled at 46% ABV, without chill filtration and with no added colouring.
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Yellow-green, the colour of limeade. Forms a thin line which beads before falling as slow, thick legs.
Nose: Grilled, slightly charred lemons, vanilla and heather honey together with sweet, mildly vegetal, peat smoke and a hint of malt.
Palate: Soft, creamy mouthfeel. Baked lemons, creme brulee, malted milk and stewed apple gradually make way for soft, bonfire peat smoke and a prickle of black pepper.
Finish: Soft citrus and black pepper heat dissipate as sweet peat smoke builds and lingers.
Summary: Inaugural and first core range bottlings from a new distillery can be really hit and miss, with many offerings being too youthful and rough around the edges. Add to that a trend in recent years to price these bottlings far higher than seems appropriate for the age. For as long as I can remember we've been fed on a diet of older expressions being more expensive 'because of the costs of years of maturation and the effect of the Angel's Share'. All extremely plausible, and one I've always been happy to accept. But, if that is still the case then the justification for a very young whisky being priced way above a 10 or 12 year old expression from another distillery is hard to comprehend. It wouldn’t be a stretch to conclude that either we’re paying for the distillery set up costs or one eye is more cynically looking at the collectors/investment/curiosity/ market. Or both.
I must admit I've been looking forward to getting my hands on the first core bottling from Lagg ever since I tried the new make spirit at the distillery back in 2021. That said, I also approached it with a little trepidation as to whether my expectations would be far too high for a first proper outing.
For a very young whisky this is surprisingly complex with a lovely creaminess to the mouthfeel and negligible sharpness to the spirit. There are a few subtle clues as to its youthfulness, in particular the maltiness that was so evident in the new make spirit, but it still manages to give the impression of being more mature.
Bottled at a respectable 46% abv, non-chill filtered and natural colour so it ticks all the right boxes. As a standalone whisky this is pretty impressive, as the initial core outing from a new distillery I would have to say it's up there with the best of them. If you can get hold of a bottle this retails at around £50, which to me feels reasonable and priced with opening and enjoying in mind.
The distillery states this first core bottling 'embodies the Lagg house style', in which case the future looks extremely rosy and I will look forward to trying many more of their offerings.
If you would like more information on Lagg distillery, follow the link to the company website.
