Lagg Kilmory Single Malt 700ML

Lagg Kilmory Single Malt 700ML is a peated single malt Scotch whisky from the Isle of Arran, bottled at 46% ABV in a 700ml format. This non-age-statement expression earned a Gold Medal with 93 points at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a Master Award at the 2025 Global Scotch Whisky Masters, establishing it as one of the most decorated young peated malts in Scotland.

Quick Facts: ABV: 46%  |  Origin: Isle of Arran, Scotland  |  Non-Age Statement (NAS)  |  Distillery: Lagg

Production & Heritage

Lagg Distillery sits on the southern coast of the Isle of Arran, near the village of Lagg. It operates as a sister distillery to Lochranza (home of the Arran single malt range), but the two facilities produce very different spirits. Lagg distills twice in handmade copper pot stills at nearly twice the speed of Lochranza, producing a cloudy wort that delivers a more oily, robust new-make spirit. Kilmory uses Concerto malted barley peated to 50 ppm and matures exclusively in first-fill bourbon barrels. The whisky is bottled non-chill filtered with no added coloring, preserving the full weight and texture of the distillate. The distillery itself was named Scottish Whisky Distillery of the Year in 2023.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Heather smoke leads, followed by charred citrus — think blackened lemon peel — then quieter notes of banana peel and vegetal peat. There is a freshness underneath the smoke that keeps the nose inviting rather than heavy.

Taste: An initial burst of fruit hits the palate before giving way to porridge-like malt with peat-smoked oats. The mid-palate develops layers of crushed mint, black pepper, and charred pear skin, while the bourbon barrel influence contributes underlying sweetness. Citrus runs throughout, tying the fruit and smoke together.

Finish: Long and warming, with ashes, vanilla, and lingering citrus smoke. The oily texture from Lagg's cloudy wort production coats the palate, extending the finish well beyond what the whisky's young age might suggest.

How to Drink Kilmory

Kilmory is best enjoyed neat or with a few drops of water, which opens the citrus and floral peat notes without diminishing the finish. At 46% and non-chill filtered, it holds up well with a single ice cube for those who prefer a cooler dram. In a Penicillin, Kilmory's heather smoke and citrus character pair naturally with honey-ginger syrup and fresh lemon. It brings genuine depth to a Smoky Old Fashioned, where its oily texture and vanilla-edged peat stand in for heavier Islay malts. A Rob Roy made with Kilmory adds an unexpected coastal-smoke twist to the classic sweet vermouth combination.

Best For

• Exploring Arran's peated side after enjoying the classic Lochranza range
• Gifting a whisky enthusiast who appreciates emerging Scottish distilleries
• Building a tasting flight comparing island peat styles — Arran, Mull, Islay
• Introducing peat lovers to a lighter, more citrus-forward smoke profile

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kilmory taste like? Kilmory leads with heather smoke and charred citrus, layered over porridge-like malt, crushed mint, and black pepper, finishing long with vanilla and ash. It sits on the lighter, more fruit-driven end of the peated Scotch spectrum.

How does Kilmory compare to Ledaig? Reviewers have noted a similar smoke character between Kilmory and Ledaig, both being non-Islay peated malts with maritime influence. Kilmory tends to be more citrus-forward and oily in texture, while Ledaig from the Isle of Mull often leans toward meatier, more medicinal peat notes.

Is Kilmory good for sipping neat? Yes — at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered, Kilmory was designed for neat drinking, and a few drops of water can further open its aromatic complexity without losing body.

Where is Kilmory made? Kilmory is produced at Lagg Distillery on the southern coast of the Isle of Arran, Scotland. The distillery is operated by Isle of Arran Distillers and focuses exclusively on peated single malt whisky.

What foods pair well with Kilmory? Smoked salmon benefits from the whisky's citrus-smoke mirror effect. Aged cheddar or Manchego complements the vanilla and oily texture. Grilled lamb chops echo the heather and peat character. Dark chocolate with sea salt highlights the long ashy finish. Lemon tart provides a bright counterpoint to the smoke.

What sizes does Kilmory come in? Kilmory is available in the standard 700ml bottle format.

Is Kilmory worth the price? Kilmory positions as an accessible entry point into the Lagg range, sitting at a mid-range price tier for peated single malts. Its multiple 2024 awards — including 93 points from San Francisco and a Gold at the Scottish Whisky Awards — suggest strong value relative to more established peated competitors at similar or higher price points.

Why Kilmory?

Lagg Distillery is one of Scotland's newest whisky producers, yet Kilmory has already accumulated a remarkable awards haul: a Master at the 2025 Global Scotch Whisky Masters, 93 points at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and Gold at the Scottish Whisky Awards, all within its first years of release. The production approach — cloudy wort, fast distillation, first-fill bourbon only, no chill filtration — results in a peated malt that genuinely tastes different from Islay or Campbeltown counterparts. For drinkers who find Islay peat polarizing, Kilmory offers a more citrus-bright, texturally rich alternative rooted in a specific place and a distinctive distilling philosophy.