Kilmory Edition, 100% First Fill Bourbon Barrel

LAGG Kilmory Edition is LAGG's flagship whisky and the first expression of the core range to be released by the distillery.

The influence of peat combined with the vanilla influences of the first-fill bourbon casks forms the backbone of this peaty Single Malt whisky.

Tasting notes by Serge Valentin (Whiskyfun.com) 83/100

This is the first permanent expression of Lagg – and our first Lagg (which works out well). The distillery belongs to Arran Distillers and is said to produce some much peated malt whisky. I remember, at the time when the first Arran whiskies were released, many wondered, since there was an Ardbegmania, why Arran hadn't opted for full peat from the beginning. But it was another time...

Colour: pale white wine.

Nose: apparently, someone's deep-smoked apples using wood, made some cider, and then distilled the end result. Pipe ashes may have been added eventually. BTW this was made out of Concerto barley peated to 50ppm.

Mouth: once again, a feeling of smoked apple cider, barbecued eggplant, many ashes, pinewood, beech, even seaweed (beach bonfire)… You'd almost believe, at times, that you've actually had some ashes in your mouth. Or licked an ashtray very early in the morning, in Ibiza (what??)

Finish: more ashes, more cider apples, plus some lemon zests this time and a few bitter herbs and oak.

Comments: not my business but I would have called it Kilnmorey instead. Indeed I know Kilmory is the name of the county. Bags of ashes in this young malt that should age very well from now.