The southern tip of Arran is not a gentle place to build a distillery. The wind comes straight off Kilbrannan Sound, and peat sits thick in the ground around Kilmory. That rawness is what Lagg has built its name on – and now it meets something entirely different: the pale, salty world of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.

Expert's Description

Lagg Manzanilla Sherry Finish Small Batch is an Islands Single Malt Scotch Whisky, first matured in 1st and 2nd fill Bourbon casks before being finished in 1st fill Manzanilla Sherry casks for over a year, bottled at 57.6%. It's the distillery's second small batch release, following 2025's Palo Cortado Small Batch, and another step in Lagg's ongoing exploration of unusual Sherry cask types for its heavily peated spirit. Manzanilla isn't like most other Sherries – it's produced exclusively in the small coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, where it matures under a protective layer of flor yeast right on the Atlantic. That gives it a paler, drier and fresher style than something like Oloroso or PX, with a touch of salt and almond rarely allowed anywhere near peated whisky. Peated to 50 ppm, non-chill filtered and free of added colour, Lagg hasn't held back – only 2,000 bottles exist of this release.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Sweet syrup and maraschino cherry arrive first, carried by a gentle warmth that hints at what's underneath. Beneath it, a thread of smoke that never quite fades.

Palate

Hot honey meets spiced red fruit and cherry syrup, while a salted minerality cuts through the sweetness and keeps everything tight.

Finish

Long, dry and warming, with ashy bonfire smoke and a faint brine that recalls the sea just outside the distillery's windows.

Specifications

Name: Lagg Distillery Manzanilla Sherry Finish Small Batch
Distillery: Lagg Distillery
Region/Country: Isle of Arran, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Whisky
ABV: 57.6%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: 1st and 2nd fill Bourbon casks, finished in 1st fill Manzanilla Sherry casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Bottled: 2026
Number of bottles: 2,000
Edition: Small Batch Release
EAN No.: 5037377000116

Flavour Profile

Peated · Sherry-matured · Salty · Fruity · Spiced

Did you know?

Graham Omand, Lagg's current distillery manager, learned the trade as a stillman at Arran's Lochranza distillery – under his own uncle, former master distiller James MacTaggart. That knowledge came with him seven years ago, when he set out to build an entirely new distillery from scratch on the island's southern tip.

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Somewhere between the wash still and the warehouse, Lagg built a reputation few casual drinkers ever hear about. This particular release from Isle of Arran shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Lagg Distillery Palo Cortado Finish Isle of Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky 56,2% is a Single Isle of Arran Malt Scotch Whisky matured on ex-Palo Cortado sherry casks from Spanien and bottled at 56,2%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark chocolate, dried figs and a warm sherry depth.

Palate

Sultanas, cocoa and a rounded sherried sweetness.

Finish

Long and warming with a lingering spiced oak note.

Specifications

Name: Lagg Distillery Palo Cortado Finish Isle of Arran Single Malt Scotch Whisky 56,2%
Distillery: Lagg
Region/Country: Isle of Arran
Type: Single Isle of Arran Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 56,2%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-Palo Cortado sherry casks from Spanien
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Small Batch
EAN no.: 5060044489310

Flavour Profile

Sherried · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. Palo Cortado is the rarest sherry style, and a Small Batch release on exactly this cask type from a newer distillery like Lagg is not easily recreated.

Did you know?

Palo Cortado is the rarest of all sherry styles, because it begins its life ageing as a Fino before unexpectedly developing a character that leads the cellar master to reclassify it as an Oloroso.

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In a region crowded with famous names, Tobermory has quietly gone about its business for generations. This particular release from Isle of Mull shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Ledaig 10 Year Tobermory Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky 46,3% is a Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky matured on ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 46,3%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Custard, malt and a hint of citrus zest.

Palate

Creamy vanilla, oak spice and ripe orchard fruit.

Finish

Warm and rounded with a final vanilla note.

Specifications

Name: Ledaig 10 Year Tobermory Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky 46,3%
Distillery: Tobermory
Region/Country: Isle of Mull
Type: Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46,3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Ledaig
EAN no.: 5029704217434

Flavour Profile

Smooth · Spiced

Did you know?

Tobermory distillery was founded in 1798 and is the only distillery on the Isle of Mull, where it produces two entirely different whiskies under the names Tobermory and Ledaig.

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Some whiskies shout their pedigree from the label. This one from Tobermory prefers to let the liquid do the talking. This particular release from Isle of Mull shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Ledaig 18 Year Tobermory Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky 46,3% is a Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky and bottled at 46,3%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Green apple, vanilla and a gentle grassy note.

Palate

Malt sweetness, citrus and a touch of oak spice.

Finish

Soft and rounded with a final malty note.

Specifications

Name: Ledaig 18 Year Tobermory Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky 46,3%
Distillery: Tobermory
Region/Country: Isle of Mull
Type: Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 46,3%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Ledaig
EAN no.: 5029704218059

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Did you know?

Ledaig and Tobermory are distilled in exactly the same place by the same distillers, but Ledaig is made with peated malt while Tobermory uses unpeated malt.

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Not every great dram carries a famous name on the label — Tobermory is proof that quiet distilleries can still produce remarkable whisky. This particular release from Isle of Mull shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Ledaig Miniature 10 Year Tobermory Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky 5 cl 46,3% is a Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky matured on ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 46,3%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Soft toffee, pear and a light floral note.

Palate

Soft toffee, lemon and a mellow oak.

Finish

Medium length, clean and gently spiced.

Specifications

Name: Ledaig Miniature 10 Year Tobermory Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky 5 cl 46,3%
Distillery: Tobermory
Region/Country: Isle of Mull
Type: Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 46,3%
Size: 5 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Ledaig
EAN no.: 5029704217441

Flavour Profile

Smooth · Spiced

Did you know?

Ledaig means 'safe harbour' in Gaelic, a name referring to Tobermory's well-sheltered harbour on the Isle of Mull, where the distillery has stood since 1798.

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In a region crowded with famous names, Tobermory has quietly gone about its business for generations. This particular release from Isle of Mull shows a side of the distillery worth slowing down for.

Expert's description

Ledaig Rioja Cask Sinclair Series Single Malt Whisky Mull 46,3% is a Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky matured on finish på Rioja-vinfade from Spanien and bottled at 46,3%.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh malt, orchard fruit and a light floral note.

Palate

Honey, pear and a mellow barley character.

Finish

Crisp and drying with a gentle spice.

Specifications

Name: Ledaig Rioja Cask Sinclair Series Single Malt Whisky Mull 46,3%
Distillery: Tobermory
Region/Country: Isle of Mull
Type: Single Isle of Mull Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46,3%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Finish på Rioja-vinfade from Spanien
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Edition: Sinclair Series
EAN no.: 5029704220243

Flavour Profile

Fresh · Spiced

Investment Potential

Medium. Rioja casks are rarely used for whisky maturation in Scotland, and as part of Tobermory's experimental Sinclair Series this combination is not necessarily repeated.

Did you know?

The Sinclair Series is named after the Sinclair family, historically linked to Tobermory distillery, and is used to try unconventional cask types on Ledaig and Tobermory.

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The sea around Orkney crashes hard against the cliffs, but the whisky from Scapa has always been the gentlest voice in the chorus. This 16-year-old is an echo from a bygone era.

Expert's Description

Scapa 16 Year Old The Orcadian is a Single Orkney Malt Whisky, matured in ex-bourbon casks and bottled at 40%.

The release was introduced in 2008 as part of the 'The Orcadian' series, replacing the earlier 14-year-old version. It is now discontinued and has achieved cult status among island whisky collectors, representing the era when Scapa reclaimed its place in the market.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fruity and floral with citrus, apple, pear and a hint of pineapple, backed by a light grassy freshness.

Palate

Silky and sweet with honey, vanilla and ripe fruit in a light-to-medium body.

Finish

Soft and lingering with honey, a touch of pepper and a whisper of oak.

Specifications

Name: The Orcadian 16 Year Old
Distillery: Scapa
Region/Country: Orkney, Scotland
Type: Single Orkney Malt Whisky
Age: 16 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Ex-bourbon casks
EAN No.: 4005971233309

Flavour Profile

Fruity · Floral · Soft · Honeyed

Investment Potential

Medium. The whisky is discontinued, which has steadily increased interest among collectors of island whisky from Scapa.

Did You Know?

Scapa sits just a few hundred metres from the famous Scapa Flow anchorage, where much of the German fleet was scuttled in 1919 — a name the distillery shares with that history.

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Skye rarely goes gentle in November, and Talisker built its 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 for exactly that kind of weather - cask strength, younger and rawer than its older siblings, but carrying every bit of the smoke and salt the island is known for.

Expert Description

Talisker 11 Year Old Special Release 2022 is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, matured across a mix of American and European oak casks and bottled at a natural cask strength of 55.1%. It belongs to Diageo's annual Special Releases programme, in which distilleries such as Talisker, Lagavulin and Mortlach each contribute an expression that steps outside the core range.

The oak brings a double layer of sweetness and tannin, while the younger age keeps Talisker's trademark pepper and smoke sharp and direct. This is the distillery showing its rawer side rather than its polished one, built for an evening that calls for a bit more intensity in the glass.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose opens with salty sea air and peat smoke, quickly followed by citrus oil and a touch of mint. Underneath sit vanilla, green apple and toasted oak, and the high strength lifts the aromas without turning sharp.

Palate

The palate is rich and lively, with seaweed, sea spray and fresh lemon sitting alongside ripe fruit and vanilla. Talisker's pepper arrives quickly and builds into a chilli kick, while the casks add sweetness and a light oak bitterness underneath it all.

Finish

The finish is long and warm, with smoke, pepper and a salty minerality that lingers well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Special Release 2022
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 11 years
ABV: 55.1%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: 1st fill bourbon casks, finished in wine casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Special Releases 2022
EAN no.: 5000281071053

Flavour Profile

Peated · Peppery · Maritime · Citrusy · Full-bodied

Investment Potential

Medium - an annual, limited Special Release from Diageo that has historically grown in demand among collectors once a vintage sells out.

Did You Know?

Diageo's Special Releases programme dates back to the early 2000s and gives its distilleries room to experiment with cask types and ages that never make it into the permanent range.

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Skye still has cliffs of basalt that were once molten lava. Talisker took exactly those rocks and used them to toast the casks its 14 year old Molten Seas spent its final months in - a whisky that quite literally carries the island's volcanic past forward.

Expert Description

Talisker Special Release 2025 Molten Seas 14 Year Old is an Isle of Skye Single Malt Scotch Whisky, first matured in ex-bourbon casks and then finished in new American oak toasted with heat from volcanic basalt rock from Skye, bottled at a natural cask strength of 53.9%.

The toasting is done by heating the rocks to around 2000 degrees and placing them over the casks, giving the wood a deeper caramelisation than standard toasting achieves. The result keeps Talisker's maritime core intact while adding an extra layer of warmth and wood sweetness from the unusual cask treatment.

Tasting Notes

Nose

The nose is mellow and forward with a dry edge, a light prickle and maritime, mineral notes. With a little air it turns fruitier with a hint of white grape, while a vegetal note of parsnip appears in the background.

Palate

The palate is creamy in texture and pleasingly mellow, yet distinctly sweet and salty at the same time. The pepper builds in a controlled way, with a trace of smoky peat sitting underneath it all.

Finish

The finish is long and drying, with a light peppery edge and a faint smoky peat that lingers.

Specifications

Name: Special Release 2025 Molten Seas
Distillery: Talisker
Region/Country: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 14 years
ABV: 53.9%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Ex-bourbon casks, finished in new American oak toasted with volcanic rock
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Distillation method: Double distilled
Edition: Special Releases 2025 - Molten Seas
EAN no.: 5000281080222

Flavour Profile

Peated · Maritime · Spicy · Creamy · Mineral

Investment Potential

Medium - a brand new vintage in Diageo's Special Releases series, where earlier Talisker releases have typically gained interest among collectors once they sell out.

Did You Know?

The casks for Molten Seas are toasted by placing them over a cage of super-heated basalt rock from a quarry on Skye - a technique never previously used for a Talisker release.

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