Isle of Arran Distillers celebrate growth alongside continued sales of new Lagg Distillery casks
The Isle of Arran Distillers is nearing the end of their newest distillery’s cask sales programme, with increasing demand in casks of Lagg Single Malt meaning there is only a small selection remaining to purchase.
Since opening their second site on the Isle of Arran last year, Lagg Distillery, the distillers have been offering whisky fans the opportunity to be part of their uniquely exciting whisky story by purchasing the first casks of the single malt whisky produced there.
The programme has driven exceptional growth in the independently owned distillers, with total sales across the company increasing by 62%, in part due to the fact that over 600 casks of Lagg Single Malt have been sold from the allocation of 700. Alongside this, the island distillers have also seen online mail order sales of whisky double during this turbulent year.
Owning a cask of Lagg whisky, which will mature into Lagg Single Malt and eventually be available to bottle, means the owner will become part of the exclusive Lagg Cask Society.
This comes with some unique additional benefits, including a golf pass which entitles the owner to play all of Arran’s courses and the gift of a bottle of whisky from Cask Number One when it is bottled at 10 years-old, which is being specially held aside for cask owners.
The opening of Lagg Distillery, the company’s second site on the island, last year was a significant milestone in the island’s unique whisky story. Its distinctive shape is now a fixture on the island’s Southern coastline, bringing distillation back to its traditional heartland in that area of the Isle of Arran.
The spirit produced there, and available to purchase in casks, is expected to mature into the rich, earthy, smoky, Lagg Single Malt which will be very different in character to what the distillers currently produce at their original distillery in Lochranza.
Director of Operations & Production for Lagg Distillery, James MacTaggart said: “Since we opened Lagg Distillery in 2019, we’ve been delighted to see how many whisky fans have already supported our journey by buying a cask and becoming part of our unique Lagg Cask Society.
“It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get involved with a distillery right at the very start of its story and to share in a brand-new island adventure with our pioneering whisky company.
“Purchasing a cask goes much deeper than just the financial benefits and represents an emotional investment, buying into the passionate people on the Isle of Arran that make our whisky and forming a lasting connection – it’s hard to put a price tag on that.”
When purchasing any cask of whisky, it is not a finished product but instead a work in progress that will mature over the coming years with plenty of patience required. The very nature of Scotch whisky means that it takes a long-term view, with spirit having to mature for at least three years and often aging much longer than that.
For further information on how to purchase the last remaining casks to be filled at the Lagg Distillery and becoming a member of the Lagg Cask Society, visit www.laggwhisky.com
Notes:
Accolades for Isle of Arran Distillery include Winner for:
Drinks Business Best Contribution to Wine and Spirits Tourism (2017)
Best Brewery/Distillery Tour – Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards (2017)
Best Visitor Experience – Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (2018)
Product Awards include:
Arran 10 year-old: Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 12 Years & Under, World Whiskies Awards (2019) San Francisco World Spirits Competition Double Gold Medal (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018). Category Winner and Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch Under 12 Years’ Islands Non-Islay at the World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge 91 points (2018). Ultimate Spirits Challenge Cocktail Commendation for the Rob Roy (2018). Double Gold Medal China Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards (2014)
Arran 18 year-old: Gold Medal & Category Winner ‘Best Single Malt 13 – 20 Years, World Whiskies Awards (2020) Gold Medal ‘Best Single Malt 13 – 20 Years, World Whiskies Awards (2019) International Wine & Spirits Competition Gold Medal (2018) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘Best Scotch 13-20 Years – Islands (Non- Islay) World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018) Scottish Field Whisky Challenge – Gold Award for Best Whisky £50-100 (2018)
Quarter Cask ‘The Bothy’: Best Scotch Island Single Malt, World Whiskies Awards (2020 & 2019) Category Winner & Gold Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ for The Bothy Batch 3 World Whiskies Awards (2018). International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver Outstanding Medal (2018). International Spirits Challenge Silver Medal (2018)
Arran Barrel Reserve: Silver Medal ‘No Age Statement Single Malt’ World Whiskies Awards (2020)