Lagg distillery

{{Infobox distillery

| Name = Lagg Distillery

| Type = Island

| Location = Lagg, Isle of Arran, Scotland

| Owner = Isle of Arran Distillers

| Founded = 2019

| Status = Active

| Capacity = Approx. 500,000 LPA

| Website=[https://www.laggwhisky.com laggwhisky.com]|image=File:The_new_Lagg_Distillery_-_geograph.org.uk_-_6579683.jpg|stills=1 wash still
1 spirit still}}

Lagg distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery located near the village of Lagg on the southern coast of the Isle of Arran, Scotland. Owned by Isle of Arran Distillers, the distillery opened in 2019 and is known for producing heavily peated whiskies.

History

The original Lagg distillery operated briefly in the early 19th century before closing in 1837.{{cite book |last=Adamson |first=Gregor |title=Arran Water: An Island Whisky History |publisher=Nicholas Brealey |year=2019}} The area was historically known for illicit distilling due to its remote geography and limited excise enforcement.

In 2016, Isle of Arran Distillers announced plans for a second distillery on the island to produce peated whisky. The facility, designed by Denham Benn Architects, includes a green roof and panoramic visitor centre.{{cite web |title=Scottish Design Awards: Lagg Distillery |url=https://www.scottishdesignawards.com/lagg-distillery |access-date=2025-06-19}}

Construction was completed in early 2019, and the first spirit run occurred that spring. The distillery officially opened to the public in June 2019.{{cite web |date=2019-06-14 |title=Lagg Distillery Opens on Isle of Arran |url=https://www.whiskyadvocate.com/lagg-distillery-opens-on-isle-of-arran/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Whisky Advocate}}

In 2022, Lagg distillery released its first single malt.{{cite news |last=Erskine |first=Rosalind |date=2023-03-13 |title=Arran’s Lagg Distillery Launch First Core Range of Single Malt Whiskies |url=https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/food-and-drink/arrans-lagg-distillery-launch-first-core-range-of-single-malt-whiskies-4064044 |access-date=2025-06-19 |newspaper=The Scotsman}}

In 2024, Lagg partnered with Dougarie Estate, Caledonian Climate, and Angus Estate Plant to restore 325 hectares of damaged peatland on Arran. The project, funded by Peatland ACTION, is expected to sequester over 16,500 tCO₂e over 55 years.{{cite web |date=2025-01-10 |title=Lagg Distillery and Dougarie Estate Restore Peatland |url=https://www.whiskymag.com/articles/lagg-distillery-peatland-restoration/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Whisky Magazine}}{{cite web |date=2025-01-11 |title=Isle of Arran Distillers Restores Peatland |url=https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2025/01/isle-of-arran-distillers-restores-peatland/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=The Spirits Business}}

In June 2024, Lagg's core range debuted in the U.S. through Hotaling & Co.{{cite web |date=2024-06-19 |title=Lagg Arrives in U.S. |url=https://dramface.com/news/lagg-arrives-in-us |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Dramface}}

Production

Lagg uses heavily peated malted barley (~50 ppm phenols) and operates with two copper pot stills.{{cite web |title=Whisky Magazine Review: Lagg Distillery |url=https://whiskymag.com/articles/lagg-distillery/ |access-date=2025-06-19}}

Inaugural releases

The first single malts were released in 2022:

Kilmory Edition: ex-bourbon cask, non-chill filtered, 46% ABV.
Corriecravie Edition: finished in Oloroso sherry casks, 55% ABV.

Visitor experience

Lagg distillery have an visitor centre with tasting rooms, a café-bar, and scenic views across the Firth of Clyde.{{cite web |title=Lagg Visitor Centre Tour |url=https://www.whisky.com/whisky-database/distilleries/details/lagg.html |access-date=2025-06-19}}