Lagg Manzanilla Review | From one of Scotland’s Most Exciting Young Peated Distilleries
Some whiskies become memorable because of where you first taste them. Others because of the people you share them with. The Lagg Manzanilla Finish managed to combine both.
I first tried this small batch release aboard the Thalassa during one of our whisky cruises through Scotland. As we sailed past the Isle of Arran itself, Fred Baumgartner, Lagg’s charismatic brand ambassador, hosted a tasting that perfectly matched the surroundings. Looking across the water towards the island where this whisky was made while hearing the story behind the distillery felt almost surreal. Fred has a rare talent for making whisky come alive, but the truth is he had an easy job that afternoon. The liquid spoke for itself.
Ever since Lagg Distillery filled its first casks in 2019, there has been plenty of discussion about whether such a young distillery could really compete with Scotland’s established names. Having now tasted several releases, I think that conversation is already over. Lagg has repeatedly demonstrated that maturity is only one ingredient in great whisky. Good spirit, careful cask selection and confidence in your own style matter just as much.
In fact, heavily peated whisky is one category where youthful spirit can sometimes be an advantage. Fresh smoke, vibrant fruit and oily spirit character often become more restrained with extended maturation. Age certainly brings complexity, but it doesn’t automatically make a whisky better. Lagg seems to understand that balance remarkably well, and this Manzanilla Finish may be one of its strongest arguments yet.
Listen to the Lagg Manzanilla Review:
Tasting Notes: Lagg Small Batch Manzanilla Finish
Lagg Manzanilla Stats
- Distillery: Lagg
- Region: Isle of Arran, Scotland
- Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- ABV: 57,6%
- Cask Finish: Manzanilla Sherry Casks
- Release: Small Batch
- Natural Colour: Yes
- Non-Chill Filtered: Yes
- DRAM1 Flavour Profile: Smoke & Storm
Nose
This immediately announces itself as unmistakably coastal. Fresh iodine rises first, followed by sea spray that almost feels like standing on a harbour wall after a storm. Beneath that maritime opening lies a surprisingly waxy texture, reminding me of polished beeswax furniture, before the fruit begins to emerge.
Rather than bright citrus, this whisky heads into darker territory. Soft cooked prunes mingle with ripe nectarines, while a wonderfully nostalgic aroma of freshly baked krentenbollen adds an unmistakably Dutch comfort food character that I rarely find in whisky. The Manzanilla casks never dominate but gently weave salty complexity into the peat.
Palate
The arrival is wonderfully oily and immediately lights a bonfire. Ash, glowing embers, tar and medicinal iodine create the foundation, but what impressed me most is how quickly the sweeter elements begin pushing through the smoke.
A wonderfully unusual combination of caramelised bacon glazed with maple syrup appears alongside rich mango chutney, creating that addictive sweet-and-savoury tension that keeps drawing you back for another sip. Boiled raisins and dried figs add further depth without turning overly sherried, allowing the spirit itself to remain centre stage.
The balance is exceptional. Powerful enough to satisfy peat lovers, yet layered enough that every sip seems to reveal another detail.
Finish
Long, warming and deeply satisfying.
The smoke slowly softens into sweet peat ash while lingering coastal salinity keeps everything fresh. Liquorice root gradually develops before rich date syrup provides a luxurious sweetness that hangs around for what feels like minutes. Even long after the final sip, gentle brine and earthy smoke continue to remind you this is unmistakably Lagg.
Food Pairing
The sweet peat and savoury complexity make this an excellent partner for smoked brisket, slow-cooked pork belly or mature Comté cheese. If you’re looking for something sweeter, sticky toffee pudding or dark chocolate with sea salt beautifully echoes the whisky’s rich finish.
Who Is This Whisky For?
This is a whisky for drinkers who love expressive young peat rather than endlessly polished older malts. Fans of modern Ardbeg, Kilchoman or Ardnamurchan should feel right at home here. If you’ve been waiting for proof that Lagg deserves a place among Scotland’s leading peated distilleries, this bottle delivers exactly that.
Verdict
Strengths
- Outstanding integration of peat and Manzanilla casks.
- Rich texture with impressive complexity for such a young whisky.
- Coastal character remains beautifully intact throughout.
- Excellent balance between sweet, savoury and smoky flavours.
- Natural presentation at a robust cask strength.
Weaknesses
- Its bold personality won’t appeal to those who prefer lighter Speyside-style malts.
- Availability is limited due to the small batch nature of the release.
Final Thoughts
Every now and then you taste a whisky that quietly changes your expectations.
The Lagg Manzanilla Finish did exactly that for me. Not because it tries to imitate older Islay classics, but because it has complete confidence in what it is: young, smoky, coastal and packed with personality.
After falling head over heels for Ardbeg Corryvreckan, I didn’t expect another modern peated whisky to leave quite the same impression this year. Yet here we are. This bottle reminded me that exceptional whisky isn’t measured by the number printed on the label. Age brings evolution, refinement and different flavours, but it doesn’t own quality. Sometimes youthful spirit captures an energy that older whisky simply can’t.
Lagg has only been making whisky for a handful of years, yet release after release they continue to produce absolute belters. If this is what the distillery is capable of today, I genuinely can’t wait to see what another decade of experience will bring.
