lagavulin distillery tour from edinburgh

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Lagavulin Distillery Visitor Centre

Situated in a small bay near the south coast of Islay near the ruins of Dunyveg Castle, Lagavulin Distillery is thought to be one of the longest established distilleries in the country.

Take a peek at the ins and outs of our working distillery. From the breathtaking views of Lagavulin Bay to our unusual pear shaped stills. 

Situated at the picturesque Lagavulin Bay, this is an experience not to be missed. Take a tour of the distillery, see our distillers at work and view the unusual pear shaped stills. Peated malt, slow distillation and long maturation together ensure Lagavulin develops a complex, rich, peaty character. Lagavulin is a spirit which likes to take its time.

Advanced booking is essential. Book online on our website:  https://www.malts.com/en-gb/distilleries/lagavulin/tours

Transport and Parking

• On Public Transport Route

Accessibility

• Ramp to main entrance
• Accessible toilets
• Suitable for visitors with limited mobility
• Public Toilet Facilities
• Licensed Bar
• Picnic Area

Payment Methods

• American Express
• Credit Card

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Lagavulin Distillery

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4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

5 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Lagavulin Distillery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

ISLAY WHISKY TOUR

Do you love Islay whisky?

Explore the best whisky distilleries in Islay with our 4 day Islay whisky tours from Edinburgh.

Edinburgh to Oban

Depart at 10:00am from 242 Morrison Street, Malones Pub, Edinburgh.

On our way to Islay, we make the journey from Edinburgh to Oban. On the way to Oban, we drive through and past the world-famous Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park.

Although this is an Islay Whisky Tour, we know that Highland distilleries provide a great introduction to traditional whisky distilling.

Our usual lunch stop is the Drover’s Inn. With over 300 years’ worth of visitors, the walls of the Drover’s Inn could certainly tell a tale. This historic and well-known building has welcomed hundreds of thousands of people, including Rob Roy and Gerard Butler! Other places, we use for lunch are Deanston distillery, Glenturret distillery and the Tyndrum Green Welly.

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park is a national park in Scotland centred on Loch Lomond and the hills and glens of the Trossachs, along with several other ranges of hills. It was the first of the two national parks established by the Scottish Parliament in 2002, the second being the Cairngorms National Park.

The Park consists of many mountains and lochs, and the principal attractions are scenery, walking, and wildlife.

When we arrive in Oban, we will visit the Oban distillery.

Most people agree that the best way to travel to Islay on an Islay Whisky Tour is to break up the travel time with a stop in the Highlands. The time in Oban includes: a fantastic distillery tour and tasting at Oban distillery. Time to visit Oban town, have a meal and relax before we travel to Islay on day two. The small and historic Oban distillery is located in the charming coastal town of Oban.

Oban distillery takes its name from the town where the Highland mainland meets the Islands and nestles below the steep cliff that overlooks Oban. This coastal location is said to be reflected by the character of the Oban 14-year-old single malt whisky.

Duration: 7 hours. No meals included on this day. Accommodation included: Overnight B&B or Guesthouse stay at a local accommodation in Oban.

We use well-reviewed accommodation such as the Whisky Vaults.

Oban to Islay and Islay distilleries

Depart early morning depending on Ferry times.

Stop At: Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig

Lagavulin distillery.  Distillery tour and tasting. At least three whiskies included with the tour. Lagavulin distillery is a single malt whisky distillery in the village of Lagavulin on the south of the island of Islay, Scotland. It distils spirit that is destined to become Islay single malt Scotch whisky.

A firm favourite among locals and international whisky fans. The Lagavulin tour is a great way to start your tour on Islay!

After we visit Lagavulin, we move to Ardbeg for a whisky tasting and time for lunch.

At least four whiskies are included along with a tutored tasting from the bar staff. Lunch is excellent at Ardbeg.

The restaurant is frequented by whisky fans and locals because of the quality of food and experience.

One of the most popular stops on our Islay Whisky Tour is the tour and tasting at Laphroaig distillery. Two or three whiskies included. With a history dating back to the early 1800s and a reputation for producing some of the world’s most famous malt whiskies, the Laphroaig distillery is a great choice for whisky afficionados.

Duration: 10 hours. Breakfast included on this day. Accommodation included. Well reviewed guesthouses or Bed and Breakfasts.

Islay Whisky Tour

Depart your hotel around 9:00am

Tour and tasting at Kilchoman distillery – gain a behind scenes look into the day-to-day running of the distillery starting on the malt floor with a dram of their 100% Islay whisky.  You will have the opportunity to walk through the distillery production area accompanied by one of their friendly guides, visit the warehouse and finish with a dram in the lovely Visitor Centre.  A tasting glass is included and driver’s drams are available if required.

Bruichladdich Distillery, a stop for a quick tasting and look around the fantastic gift shop. Bruichladdich distillery is located on the southwestern tip of Islay. Bruichladdich distil four unique spirits and home to Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte and Octomore single malt whiskies and the Botanist Islay dry gin.

Bowmore Distillery, shop visit and a quick taste. The distillery, which lies on the South-eastern shore of Loch Indaal, is one of the oldest in Scotland and is said to have been established in 1779. The distillery is owned by Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd, a holding company owned by Japanese drinks company Suntory. Morrison Bowmore also own the Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch distilleries and produce the McClelland’s Single Malt range of bottlings.

Lunch in Bowmore at the Bowmore hotel – situated in the island’s ‘capital’, Bowmore, in Jamieson Street and close to all the village amenities.

The lounge bar is used as the main lunchroom serving great food. Homemade soup, toasted sandwiches, fish and chips, baked potatoes, pasta bake etc all feature on the lunchtime menu.

The hotel stock a good range of beers and lagers. However, the 700 malt whiskies, mostly from Islay are what brings the majority of people to the most famous whisky bar on the island. This hotel is a fond meeting place for many whisky enthusiasts on an Islay Whisky Tour.

Tasting at Bunnahabhain – Very picturesque part of the Island. The Bunnahabhain Distillery was founded in 1881 near Port Askaig. The Bunnahabhain whisky is one of the milder single malt Islay whiskies available and its taste varies greatly from other spirits to be found on the island of Islay. The majority of its spirit is unpeated. Great selection of rare casks and styles to be found here.

Shop visit and a quick tasting at Caol Ila distillery, the new home of Johnnie Walker on the Island and a must visit.

Tour at Ardnahoe distillery – Ardnahoe prides itself on being a modern distillery, set beautifully in a stunning location, which employs rigorously traditional methods and values. The spirit being produced is sweet, smoky and smooth yet peaty and spicy – unique and dynamic to its very core.

Duration – 9 hours. Breakfast included. Accommodation included: We pick well-reviewed B&Bs and hotels for accommodation.

Islay to Edinburgh

Stop at Loch Fyne Whiskies. A whisky shop with friendly staff and an impressive selection of whiskies, liqueurs and gins, including exclusive and independent bottlings you won’t find elsewhere. Time for lunch in Inveraray.

On the way back from Loch Fyne Whiskies, we can stop at The Clydeside Distillery for a tasting or shop visit. All visitors to the Clydeside can enjoy lunches and bites in the sumptuous Pumphouse Café. Presenting all of Scotland’s bounty for you to enjoy. The food is freshly prepared using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and our menu is carefully chosen to showcase regional specialities (Food not included).

Breakfast: Breakfast served at your local B&B in Islay. No accommodation included on this day.

From £590 per person.

We can also tailor the tour to your needs and create a customised tour. For more information and to book a bespoke customised Islay Whisky Tour please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your covid-19 policy.

• Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff.
• Social distancing enforced throughout experience.
• Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas.
• Gear/equipment sanitized between use.
• Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized.
• Guides required to regularly wash hands.
• Regular temperature checks for staff.

What does the Islay whisky tour ticket price include?

What isn't included in your islay whisky tour ticket price.

• Whisky Experiences or whisky tastings over the six included
• Lunch, Dinner and Snacks
• Evening Transport – most places within walking distances and local taxi telephone numbers are provided

What group size is the whisky tour?

When does the whisky tour run, i have another question.

If you have any questions not addressed here, please email us at [email protected] or call us on: 07549839684

Choose your tour date:

Sample the best islay single malt scotch whisky with whiskywheels.

We provide bespoke whisky tours in Scotland.

07549 839 684 (UK)

CLICK HERE TO WHATSAPP

[email protected]

Lagavulin Distillery

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4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

5 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

LAGAVULIN DISTILLERY - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

• Tour 1 – Loch Ness & the Highlands
• Tour 2 – Stirling Castle, Highland Lochs & Whisky
• Tour 3 – Rosslyn Chapel, the Borders & Hadrian’s Wall
• Tour 4 – The Best of Scotland in a Day
• Tour 5 – The Viking Coast & Alnwick Castle
• Tour 6 – St Andrews & the Kingdom of Fife
• 2 Day Tour – Inverness & the Highlands
• 3 Day Tour – Isle of Skye & the Highlands
• 5 Day Tour – The Grand Tour of Scotland
• View All Private Tours
• 1 Day Tour – The Best of Scotland in a Day
• 1 Day Tour – Loch Ness & the Highlands
• 2 Day Tour – Inverness & the Highlands
• 3 Day Tour – The Isle of Skye & the Highlands
• 4 Day Tour – Inverness & the Isle of Skye
• 5 Day Tour – The Grand Tour of Scotland
• 6 Day Tour – The Outer Hebrides & Isle of Skye
• 7 Day Tour – The Complete Tour of Scotland
• Departure Point
• Gift Vouchers
• Accommodation Explained
• Our Story – The Wee Red Bus
• John Muir Trust
• Our Vehicles
• Sustainable Tourism

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION – All group tours depart from Bus Stand ZE, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3BQ (opposite Howie’s Restaurant) .

Lagavulin Distillery

The islay whisky experience, tour highlights, this tour takes you away to the wonderful and enchanting island of islay. a fabulous holiday which includes stunning scenery, ancient history, traditional culture and 8 of scotland’s finest malt whisky distilleries... what more could you ask for.

• Kilmartin Glen
• Ferry to Islay
• Distillery tours
• Cask tasting at Lagavulin
• Whisky tastings at Ardbeg and Bruichladdich
• Kildalton Cross

We spend the day travelling to the “Queen of the Hebrides” – Islay. From Scotland’s capital we head west to our first single malt distillery (Deanston or Auchentoshan).

As we continue the tour, breathtaking views unfold as we turn north along Loch Lomond’s western shore and, if we are lucky, we’ll see the slopes of Ben Lomond rising above the water. This is Rob Roy Country and, as we leave the loch side and wind our way up into the Highlands, your guide will entertain you with tales of cattle rustling and ancient Highland Clans.

The tour now follows the stunning coastline before heading to Kilmartin Glen where over 5000 years of history are waiting to be discovered. See standing stones, ancient burial mounds and stone carvings before continuing down the Kintyre Peninsula to Kennacraig, to catch the evening ferry to Islay.

After arrival on the island it’s only a short drive to our accommodation for the next 3 nights where you can enjoy a well-earned whisky!

Example accommodation: www.portcharlottehotel.co.uk

Days 2 and 3

With two full days to explore the island, you are spoilt for choice of things to do. The exact itinerary on each day will be dictated by the weather and your guide. This allows for as much flexibility as possible, in order to get the most from your Islay experience.

To find out more about what makes Islay whiskies so special, we will visit a number of the island’s distilleries and take a guided tour. There will, of course, be an opportunity to sample the whisky during these visits, as well as tastings at some distilleries we don’t have time to take a full tour at.

Islay is home to some of the world’s most famous whiskies: the smoky and peaty Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin, on the south coast; the lighter Bruichladdich, near Port Charlotte; Bowmore, the oldest working distillery on Islay; Kilchoman, the newest and smallest, and the biggest producer on the island; Caol Ila.

Along the way, we will discover why Islay is famous for so much more than whisky. A visit to the Kildalton Cross will transport us back in time more than 1200 years and we will discover the ancient seat of the Lords of the Isles at Finlaggan.

Wildlife abounds on Islay so eyes open for golden eagles, seals, otters, whales, dolphins, wild geese, red deer and much more. Discover traditional villages clinging to the rough Atlantic coastline, ruined castles, golden beaches and a proud Gaelic culture as we explore the most amazing of Hebridean Islands.

Leaving Islay on the morning ferry, we say farewell and pass 3 distilleries clinging to the rocky south coast. Arriving back on the mainland we begin the journey back to Edinburgh. On the way home we drive along Loch Fyne to the beautiful village of Inveraray, home of the infamous Clan Campbell. Stopping here is an opportunity to enjoy a traditional lunch in a local pub or restaurant or stock up on whisky at the world-famous Loch Fyne Whisky Shop.

Leaving the coast, we now turn inland and over the high mountain pass of The Rest and Be Thankful. As the road twists and turns through the Trossachs we will be rewarded with some exceptional scenery. It is now just a short drive to Edinburgh where you will leave the tour feeling relaxed and refreshed after discovering one of Scotland’s best kept secrets – the secret that is the Isle of Islay.

Want to experience more of Scottish whisky heritage? Book the Speyside Whisky Trail, Cairngorms National Park and Royal Deeside tour .

Tour 1 Loch Ness & the Highlands bus tour from Edinburgh

Tour 2 Stirling Castle, Highland Lochs & Whisky bus tour from Edinburgh

Tour 3 Rosslyn Chapel, the Borders & Hadrian's Wall bus tour from Edinburgh

Tour 4 The Best of Scotland in a Day

Tour 5 The Viking Coast & Alnwick Castle

Tour 6 St Andrews & the Kingdom of Fife

2 Day Tour Inverness & the Highlands

3 Day Tour Isle of Skye & the Highlands

5 Day Tour The Grand Tour of Scotland

Private Tours of Scotland

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Lagavulin Distillery

Situated at the picturesque Lagavulin Bay, this is an experience not to be missed. Take a tour of the distillery, see our distillers at work and view the unusual pear shaped stills. In 1742 there were at least ten illicit stills at Lagavulin, and it would be another 74 years until local farmer John Johnston founded the first legal distillery, in sight of Dunyvaig Castle. Its name may have changed over the years, but the quiet power of peat and smoke that pervades this masculine malt has not.

Peated malt, slow distillation and long maturation together ensure Lagavulin develops a complex, rich, peaty character. Lagavulin is a spirit which likes to take its time. The definitive Islay malt—intensely flavoured, smoky and rich. The windswept Isle of Islay instils a strength of character into everything it produces and it's here, nestled in a small bay that the beloved Lagavulin whisky has been made for over 200 years.

Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7DZ

This distillery is included as part of our Discovering Islay Tour 2 .

Located 2 miles from Port Ellen one of Islay’s main sea-ports.

Opening Times:

• Opening hours vary. Please visit Lagavulin website for more information.

We interviewed Pierrick Guillaume, Distillery Manager at the Lagavulin Distillery in our November 2021 podcast.

Pierrick talks about the sights, sounds and smells of Islay, why he loves working at the Lagavulin Distillery and the journey that brought him there, and why he’s taken the Lagavulin 12 year old on holiday with him.

LAGAVULIN CLASSIC TOUR £22

See our distillers at work, experience our captivating still house and enjoy breath taking views on a guided tour around our award-winning distillery. This comprehensive experience comprises of a guided tour, a three-dram tutored tasting (including a sample of our distillery exclusive bottling) and a branded glass to treasure.  

Duration: 1hr 30mins

WAREHOUSE EXPERIENCE £50

Join Lain McArthur (our resident warehouseman and Lagavulin legend) or one of our equally talented brand home guides for a fantastic cask tasting session. This is an experience like no other and not to be missed, your host will keep you entertained with witty stories and Islay charm whilst you enjoy exclusive samples of Lagavulin.

Duration: 1hr

LAGAVULIN DISTILLERY EXCLUSIVE TASTING £105

Ideal for enthusiasts and those looking for an elevated whisky experience. This tasting comprises of four distillery exclusive bottlings and an exquisite single cask sample. To conclude this outstanding experience, you will hand fill a 20cl bottle of the single cask.

‘Good To Go’, providing Covid-19 safe tours

Reschedule at any time if your plans change

Fully transferable, secure deposit

• Private Whisky Tours of Scotland /
• Lagavulin Distillery /

Lagavulin Distillery Lagavulin Isle of Islay PA42 7DZ

www.lagavulindistillery.com

Inquire about a private whisky tour

Whisky. the water of life.

THE EDINBURGH CITY & WHISKY TOUR

– half day –, explore the medieval old city of edinburgh, outlying duddingston village and visit the award-winning glenkinchie distillery.

THE SCOTCH WHISKY TRAIL TOUR

Learn how the ‘water of life’ is created and understand what gives each whisky region its own unique character. slàinte  .

SPEYSIDE WHISKY PRIVATE DAY TOUR FROM EDINBURGH

Take a private tour from edinburgh to speyside, visit the distilleries, learn the history, see the production process and sample the whisky..

SPEYSIDE WHISKY DISCOVERY TRAIL

Travel to speyside and experience some of scotland’s best distilleries. experience the process of creating a bottle and sample the finished product.

Lagavulin Distillery

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4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

5 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Lagavulin, located on the southern coast of Islay near the village of Port Ellen , is renowned for its peaty and complex whiskies, often characterised by a combination of maritime and medicinal notes.

History Currently owned by Diageo,  Lagavulin has a long history dating back to its official founding year in 1816. However, illicit distillation likely occurred on the site long before that. 

House Style & Peat Levels Lagavulin whiskies are known for their intense peat smoke, maritime influence, and complex flavour profile. Lagavulin is often associated with a high level of peatiness, and its whiskies are appreciated by enthusiasts who enjoy the bold and robust character of peated Islay malts.  Maturation Lagavulin whiskies typically undergo maturation in a combination of American oak and European oak casks, including ex-bourbon barrels and sherry casks.  Visitor Centre Lagavulin Distillery has a visitor centre that welcomes whisky enthusiasts for a variety of guided tours and experiences. From a Classic Tour to Sensory Tasting or Warehouse Experience (which includes cask sampling), there is plenty for visitors to explore across the historic distillery buildings.

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Lagavulin Distillery

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4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

5 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Lagavulin Distillery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

The Spirits Business

Distilleries reveal fèis ìle bottlings.

Lagavulin, Caol Ila and Bruichladdich are among Islay distilleries creating limited edition expressions for this year’s Fèis Ìle festival.

Fèis Ìle takes place between 24 May and 1 June, with Islay’s nine distilleries opening their doors to the public and hosting unique events.

Diageo-owned Lagavulin has created two bottlings for the festival: the Lagavulin Skies of Fèis Ìle 29-Year Old and the Lagavulin Fèis Ìle 2024 10-Year-Old.

The former is finished in a heavily charred amoroso-seasoned American oak hogshead cask, while the latter has a higher peat level than the distillery’s usual offering and has been matured in refill, heavily charred and first fill ex-Bourbon American oak hogshead casks.

Lagavulin Skies of Fèis Ìle has an RRP of £2,500 (US$3,135), with only 250 bottles available directly from the distillery.

Lagavulin Fèis Ìle 2024 retails for £175 (US$22), with 1,800 available.

Jordan Paisley, Lagavulin distillery manager, said: “This year, we’re releasing two very different expressions, but with a very similar inspiration: the way special moments, like Fèis Ìle or the Northern Lights on Islay, are capable of bringing people together.

“Just like Lagavulin has been uniting fans all over the world through its unique whisky, it is a very special moment for us.”

Meanwhile, Caol Ila will offer a 13-year-old whisky that is finished in ex-ruby Port French oak casks, sourced from the Douro Valley in Portugal.

Bottled at 54.5% ABV, 1,404 bottles of Caol Ila Fèis Ìle 2024 13-Year-Old are available for £185 (US$232).

Eva Cumming, Caol Ila distillery manager, said: “I wanted to celebrate this year’s Fèis Ìle with a truly exceptional bottling, especially since this marks my inaugural Fèis Ìle as Caol Ila’s distillery manager.

“This expression beautifully captures Caol Ila’s signature maritime smokiness, complemented by a twist with those sweeter tones. I’m looking forward to raising a glass with all of our fans!”

Bruichladdich

Bruichladdich has created two expressions for the festival: a 10-year-old and a 20-year-old.

The younger whisky, Rock’ndaal 03.1, is aged in Bourbon casks before being recasked into Sauternes casks, Austrian dessert wine casks and ex-brandy casks from Fernando de Castilla, Spain, which previously held Pedro Ximénez Sherry.

Bottled at 50% ABV, the whisky is priced at £100 (US$125).

At 20 years old, Port Charlotte Rock’ndaal 03.2 is the oldest expression of Port Charlotte to be released. It was aged in a combination of Bourbon casks and first-fill Sauternes casks.

Bottled at 54% ABV, the whisky is priced at £225 (US$282).

“Fèis Ìle is a time to rip up the rule book,” says Bruichladdich Distillery’s head distiller, Adam Hannett. “Each year we delve deeper into our warehouses to create something that’s never been done before, something really special – and our festival releases do just that.”

For its festival release, Mac-Talla, which is owned by Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers , has aged its single malt in rum casks for the first time. The original whisky was distilled in 2009 and aged in Bourbon barrels for 10 years before being finished in Caribbean rum casks.

Graeme Mackeddie, production director, said: “Unlike many casks in use in the rum industry and then in subsequent use within the whisky industry, this particular parcel of rum casks started life in the rum industry as virgin American oak barrels, and saw only one use before setting sail to us.

“The result is a rum cask that is both active in terms of the influence of its previous contents, but also the influence of its wood. The active American oak generates flavours and aromas of vanilla, coconut and brown sugar, along with some subtle cinnamon and cloves. The cask’s former contents of rum combined with the fruit-forward Islay whisky offer a generous cacophony of tropical fruit notes, pineapple and papaya particularly prevalent.”

Bottled at 53.7%, the expression retails for £98 (US$123).

Ardbeg also released a festival offering earlier this month: a Bourbon cask-matured whisky aged in Port wine barrels.

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This Distillery Combines the Spirit of Australia and Scotland With Its New Whisky

It was created after several return trips to Scotland’s western 'Whisky Coast.'

The Melbourne-based Starward’s latest expression is aged in barrels from Lagavulin, the 200-year-old Scottish distillery known for its peated whisky. 

When David Vitale was in the midst of dialing in the flavor profile of his nascent whisky brand, he intentionally stayed away from Scotland. The founder of Starward Australian Whisky had long been inspired by the distinct, peated flavor of Scotch whisky, but didn’t want it to influence his own spirit. 

“I'm a hopeless romantic,” Vitale told Travel + Leisure . “So I'd get wrapped up in that world and try to imitate it, which would be a failure of the brand's ambition.” That ambition? To make a distinctly Australian whisky, one rooted in his home city. 

“The best whiskies not only reflect their ingredients but also the culture of the place they’re made,” Vitale said. “Starward is my love letter to Melbourne.” 

Vitale did find the flavor that successfully captured the essence of Melbourne , the multicultural metropolis on Australia’s southeastern coast and home to one of the country’s most exciting culinary scenes. Only then did he and his team visit Scotland, touring more than a dozen distilleries that welcomed and encouraged the fledgling Australian distillery. 

Nearly two decades after first starting out, and several return trips to Scotland’s western “Whisky Coast” later, Starward has teamed up with the 200-plus-year-old Lagavulin Distillery to make the limited-release Starward Single Malt Australian Whisky Finished in ex-Lagavulin Barrels. 

“You travel vicariously with whisky,” said Vitale. This first-of-its-kind spirit, then, will transport drinkers to both the idyllic green Scottish isle of Islay and the dynamic and bustling city of Melbourne. 

Starward’s original whiskies — including the award-winning double grain Two-Fold, the signature single malt Nova, and Solera, the brand’s first whisky — “give people an opportunity to live that Melbourne life vicariously,” said Vitale. The spirit gets its bold sense of place thanks to how it’s made, he said, through a “very Australian lens.”

From an ingredient perspective, they use barley and wheat grown within a day’s drive of the distillery. The whisky is aged in ex-shiraz, pinot noir, and cabernet barrels they source from wineries in the nearby Yarra Valley and Barossa Valley — two of Australia’s famous wine regions — lending the liquid a reddish hue and imparting subtle tannins and notes of ripe red fruits. 

Melbourne’s climate also plays a role in the finished product. Situated between two deserts, said Vitale, the Outback to the north, and Antarctica to the south, dramatic weather shifts “mean that our barrels are working hard all the time,” he noted, referring to how wood expands and contracts when the temperature changes. “We couldn't make this whisky from a process point of view anywhere else in Australia, let alone the world, and have the same product.”

Dating back to 1816, Lagavulin has been making its exceptional spirit for over two centuries. And although “geographically, you couldn't find two more contrasting places,” said Vitale, the two distilleries share some similarities, which inspired the collaborative expression. Akin to Starward aging its whisky in ex-red wine barrels, Lagavulin ages some of its whisky in ex-fortified wine barrels from Spain. During one visit to Islay, Sam Slaney, Starward’s production director, noted that Lagavulin whisky is influenced by the island’s landscape and climate.

“We've got these two worlds already interacting with each other,” Vitale said.  “What about if we take it the other way and age our whisky in peated barrels from Scotland?” Fusing the two distinct flavors together in a way that hasn’t been done before, “is true innovation,” Vitale said. 

The spirit is made with Starward’s single malt, aged in Australian red wine barrels for three years before it’s transferred to Lagavulin peated Scotch whisky barrels, where it soaks up the essence of the rugged Islay coast for the next 18 months. The result has Starward’s signature notes of red berries and tropical fruits like banana and pineapple, plus, thanks to the Lagavulin barrels, the rich flavors of smoke and peat. 

“The smoke creates more contrast for all of the flavors to kind of turn up and be available for you to taste,” Vitale said. “And that's exciting.”

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