Lagg Distillery

Lagg Distillery is located at the southern end of the Isle of Arran in Kilmory. It is a contemporary distillery producing a bold, peated style of single malt inspired by traditional Islay whisky-making techniques and Arran’s illicit distilling heritage.

For hundreds of years, to increase their income, small Arran communities made their own spirit in illicit home-made stills. The resulting whisky, which became known as ‘Arran Waters’, was smuggled from Lagg and sold on mainland Scotland.

About Lagg Distillery

Opened in 2019 by Isle of Arran Distillers, Lagg Distillery was designed to produce a heavily peated style of whisky distinct from its sister distillery at Lochranza. It draws on the island’s historic tradition of illicit distilling, once known locally as 'Arran Waters'.

The distillery features modern production facilities and a visitor centre designed to showcase both whisky-making and the island’s distilling heritage.

Lagg Distillery Tours & Experiences

In 2017, construction began on the distillery and its visitor centre. The building was designed by architects to reflect the contours of the Isle of Arran as viewed from Ailsa Craig, with dramatic rooflines covered in a sedum blanket of seasonal plants that change colour throughout the year.

The custom-made copper pot stills were installed in August 2018 and now stand alongside the mash tun and four traditional wooden washbacks. In 2019, the first whisky reached maturity, marking the release of the heavily peated LAGG Single Malt, now available for visitors to experience.

Tours and tastings can be booked online, subject to availability. If a tour or tasting session cannot be selected, it is fully booked. Group bookings of 10 or more are accepted by phone or email, where availability can be confirmed and arrangements made.

Please note that same-day tours and tastings cannot be booked online. For current availability on the day, visitors are advised to contact the distillery directly by phone or email. For group bookings and general enquiries, contact bookings@laggwhisky.com or call +44 (0) 1770 870565.5.

The Lagg Whisky Experience £20

A tour of our stillhouse finishing with a dram of our two core range whiskies. Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of whisky making, all set to the breath-taking backdrop of Ailsa Craig and the Firth of Clyde. The classic experience for those looking to learn a little about Lagg.

Duration: 1hr 15mins

The Lagg Select Tasting £40

Dig deeper into Lagg Single Malt with the Lagg Select Tasting. Enjoy five of our whiskies, ranging from cask samples to limited editions and distillery exclusives, whilst being expertly guided through your tasting experience by one of our team members.

Duration: 1hr 30mins

The Arran Water Tour £30

In the 19th century, the illicit spirit distilled on the Isle of Arran was known as the 'Arran Water' and had a stellar reputation across the country for its incredible quality.

We warmly invite you to join us on a stroll around Lagg Distillery as one of our tour guides regales you with the fascinating history and (mis)adventures of Arran’s distilling past, both illicit and licensed. Naturally, our stories will be accompanied with some delicious drams of Lagg Single Malt as well as some chocolates from local chocolatier James of Arran.

Duration: 1hr 30mins

Whisky & Chocolate Pairing £22.50

Relax in our whisky bar with our trio of Lagg limited edition Inaugural releases, paired with six specially-selected James of Arran chocolates.

Duration: 1hr

LAGG Distillery also offers Limited Experiences and Tastings depending on season. Please visit the website for an up-to-date list of this.

Plan Your Visit to Lagg Distillery

Address:

Kilmory, Isle of Arran KA27 8PG

Tour:

This distillery is included as part of our Ayrshire and Kintyre Tour.

Directions:

Catch the ferry to the Isle of Arran from Ardrossan, we’re less than 20 miles from Brodick (via the String Road or via Whiting Bay) and 25 miles from Lochranza. Regular buses operate to fit in with the ferry times. There are three main bus routes covering North Arran, South Arran and the String.

Opening Times:

Tue-Sat 10am-4.30pm
Sun-Mon closed
Our cafe and whisky bar are open for takeaway and sit-in dining and we politely request guests pre-book a table. Coffee and cakes are served from 10am–3.30pm and hot food is served from 10.30am–3pm.

Facilities:

Visitor centre and shop
Kilmory Café and whisky bar
Indoor and outdoor seating
Parking available

Podcast

We interviewed Andy Bell, Head of Sales for Europe and the Nordics for the Isle of Arran Distillers, in our December 2021 podcast.

Andy tells us about the Lochranza Distillery’s unique history, and the impact its founder had on the wider whisky industry. He compares the processes at Lagg and Lochranza, and tells us about their Project North and South, which brought the two spirits together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What experiences are available at Lagg Distillery?

Lagg Distillery offers a range of guided whisky and tasting experiences including The Lagg Whisky Experience, The Arran Water Tour, The Lagg Select Tasting, and Whisky & Chocolate Pairing experiences. Visitors can explore a modern Islay-style peated whisky distillery on the Isle of Arran, learn about illicit distilling history on the island, and enjoy guided tastings of Lagg single malt and exclusive releases.

How long does a Lagg Distillery tour take?

Most Lagg Distillery experiences last between 1 hour and 1.5 hours depending on the tour selected. The Whisky Experience typically lasts around 1 hour 15 minutes, while select tastings and pairing experiences run up to approximately 1.5 hours.

Is whisky tasting included at Lagg Distillery?

Yes, whisky tasting is included in all Lagg Distillery experiences. Guests can enjoy guided tastings of Lagg single malt whisky, ranging from core expressions to limited editions, with some experiences including cask samples and whisky and chocolate pairings.

Do I need to book Lagg Distillery tours in advance?

Advance booking is strongly recommended for Lagg Distillery tours and tastings, as experiences operate on scheduled times and availability can be limited. Some same-day availability may be possible, but pre-booking is advised, especially during peak travel periods.

What are the opening hours of Lagg Distillery Visitor Centre?

Lagg Distillery Visitor Centre is generally open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4:30pm, and closed on Sundays and Mondays. The café, whisky bar, tours and tastings all operate within these hours and may vary seasonally.

Is Lagg Distillery family friendly?

Lagg Distillery is family friendly in visitor areas such as the café, whisky bar and outdoor seating spaces. However, distillery tours and tastings are intended for adult visitors, with alcohol service restricted to those aged 18 and over.

Is Lagg Distillery accessible?

Lagg Distillery offers accessible visitor facilities in key areas including the café, shop and visitor centre. Some production and stillhouse areas may include uneven surfaces, but the modern building design supports general accessibility for most visitors.

Is parking available at Lagg Distillery?

Yes, parking is available on-site at Lagg Distillery for visitors attending tours and experiences. The distillery is located in Kilmory on the Isle of Arran, approximately 20 miles from Brodick.

Does Lagg Distillery have a café or shop?

Yes, Lagg Distillery features the Kilmory Café and Sheiling Bistro offering food, coffee and light meals, along with a whisky bar serving drams and tasting flights. There is also a visitor shop offering Lagg whisky, gifts and island produce.

Where is Lagg Distillery located?

Lagg Distillery is located in Kilmory on the Isle of Arran, Scotland (KA27 8PG), at the southern end of the island, with views towards Ailsa Craig and the Firth of Clyde.