Lagavulin 30 Years 1991/2022 - Casks of Distinction

The triumph of smoky Scotch whiskies began around 1990, led by the Lagavulin Distillery. The malt whiskies from this distillery, officially founded in 1816, are archetypes of Islay single malts and are now undeniable favorites among "peat heads" worldwide. They are famous for their heavy, oily character, shaped by the pear-shaped stills with unusually wide necks. And for the fact that demand always exceeds supply.

This principle is especially true for single casks. The coveted Lagavulin casks are rare to come by. The master blenders of the Casks of Distinction program have unearthed such a gem among the barrels, butts, and other casks. For the members of Casks of Distinction (CoD for short), Dr. Craig Wilson, Dr. Emma Walker, Maureen Robinson, and Dr. Jim Beveridge tour the more than 50 warehouses of Diageo's extensive collection, unearthing unique casks from obscurity and awarding them a star that marks them as rare and exceptional.

The recipient of this star is the Lagavulin 30 yo. The 1991 Islay Single Malt is not just extremely rare. It is the first official Lagavulin single cask bottling of this age to be fully matured in a sherry cask. Furthermore, the single cask is a true first as a "Joint CoD." Since Diageo launched the program in 2016, several CoD cask owners have joined forces.

The bottling is the brainchild of the Hong Kong Whisky Fellows, known for their Brora 42 yo, and the House Welley Whisky Bar from Hong Kong, whose founder previously bottled a 1995 Lagavulin. Also behind this bottling are Boris Borissov and Sebastian Jäger, founding members of the Wu DRAM Clan, who released the first CoD in Europe with their European Lagavulin Fans 21 yo and maintain a very close relationship with Diageo. And: Christoph Kirsch, like the Lagavulin, also a 1991 vintage, for whom this bottling is a dream come true.

Lagavulin fans can expect an incredible single malt – lush in its natural color, with a complex, captivating profile of berry fruits, bacon, and smoke that unfolds creamily, boldly, and multifacetedly. After 30 years in First Fill Pedro Ximénez/Oloroso Seasoned European Oak Butt #5403, the alcohol meter still registers a cask-strength 44.3% ABV.