Islay’s icon and Lagavulin legend, Iain McArthur, is retiring after over 50-years in the whisky industry and to mark his contribution Lagavulin has announced the release of the ‘Iain’s Farewell Dram.
The cask was filled by Iain McArthur 18 years ago, and then the bottles hand poured by Iain at the Lagavulin Distillery this week. Matured in second-fill Manzanilla casks, Iain’s Farewell Dram boasts notes of smouldering wood embers perfectly balanced with ripe orchard fruits an aromatic spice.
Iain McArthur, Lagavulin’s Warehouse Manager said, “Being part of the Lagavulin family has been the adventure of a lifetime, but now I’m ready for a change of pace. At 18 Years Old, this bottling brings back fond memories for me, enjoying a dram and celebrating moments in my life. I hope everyone that loves this distillery as much as I do gets to enjoy it.”
Iain started his whisky career at Port Ellen Distillery before joining the team at Lagavulin where he has been an integral part of the team for half a century where he has enjoyed roles from peat cutting to overseeing casks and conducting his famous warehouse tasting sessions for distillery visitors.
18 bottles will be available to buy from Lagavulin Distillery through a ballot which closes on Monday (18 December) and information on how to secure a bottle will be released via Lagavulin and Malts.com in the coming months.
The Iain’s Farewell Dram has been bottled at 58.7% ABV, with an RRP of £350.