Lagg Corriecravie Review: Rich and Juicy

At one of the southern tips of Scotland’s Isle of Arran stands the Lagg Distillery. Its core range has arrived with two drams. We’ve already taken a close look at the Kilmory whisky, but now it’s time to taste the other half of the duo. In this Lagg Corriecravie Review, you’ll discover the sweet twist it brings to Lagg’s peated spirit.

On Arran, the Lochranza distillery sits in the north, where predominantly sweet Arran whisky is crafted. About an hour’s drive south you’ll find the Lagg Distillery, which does the exact opposite. There, the focus is on peated and smoky whisky. But what happens when you fuse that peaty character with something sweet?

That’s what the team at Lagg wanted to find out, so they sourced a selection of Oloroso sherry hogsheads from Miquel Martin in Jerez. Lagg spirit, distilled from Concerto barley and initially matured in ex-bourbon casks, was then transferred into those sherry casks.

Six months later, the whisky emerged with a lovely sherry finish and was bottled at 55 percent alcohol by volume. It’s a striking strength, notably higher than the Kilmory (46 percent). How that plays out in the glass, you’ll read below.

Lagg Distillery treads lightly on the environment. The distillery was built with sustainability in mind, including a green roof. That eco-consciousness carries through to the bottle and packaging.

The Lagg Corriecravie’s box is almost entirely white, with a few contrasting elements like a subtly red-brown base a nod to sherry. The Lagg logo with its signature waves features on the packaging, and the distillery’s emblem is die-cut into the label.

Speaking of that logo: when you look at the distinctive bottle, there’s something special beneath the wooden stopper and short neck. At first glance, you’ll spot a simple wave in the glass; hold the bottle just right to the light and you’ll see another wave on the back.

Together, the waves on the front and back outline the distillery itself and mirror the top two waves in the Lagg logo. Though the round bottle is otherwise quite understated, this is a cleverly considered touch.

So, how about the dram itself? It shares some DNA with the Kilmory Edition, but quickly reveals its own character. On the nose, it opens with floral notes and a hint of citrus, layered with clove and nutmeg.

Let it sit and a tapestry of smoky peat and iodine unfolds, with the sherry influence stepping forward. Expect cherries, red fruits and touches of chocolate to tease the senses. On the palate, Corriecravie is notably creamy, with a flicker of pepper at first.

Then come sweet notes of peat, cherries and a subtle medicinal thread. As it moves into the finish, the whisky turns a touch dry, signing off with a playful balance of sweet chocolate and gentle medicinal tones. That initial peppery spark reappears briefly, echoing its first impression on your palate.

A drop of water transforms the dram, bringing out considerably more sweetness. Cherry and other red fruit notes are amplified, though at the expense of the spicier, medicinal facets and some of the chocolate. The peat and smoke, which are deeply rooted in Lagg’s character, keep everything in check, ensuring the whisky remains confidently poised.

The Lagg Corriecravie is an ideal introduction to peat if you’re coming from the sweeter side of whisky. It leans sweet overall, with a few gentle sparks and a beautifully balanced peat smoke. It isn’t a particularly complex whisky, but it has enough layers to show real personality and avoid blending into the crowd.

+ A fine gateway to peated whiskies

+ Strong value for money

+ Nicely balanced dram

- The higher ABV benefits from a drop of water