Lagavulin Celebrates Islay Jazz Festival with Limited Edition 14-Year-Old Whisky Release

The iconic Lagavulin distillery, located on the Isle of Islay , Scotland, has announced a special release to mark the much-anticipated 2024 Islay Jazz Festival. This exclusive bottling, a 14-year-old single malt Scotch whisky , promises to be a luxurious treat for both whisky lovers and jazz enthusiasts alike. What makes this release particularly unique is its finish in South African Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks, adding a distinctive twist to Lagavulin’s signature smoky character.

A Special Whisky for a Special Occasion

The Islay Jazz Festival, held annually, is one of the island's premier events, drawing visitors from around the world who come to enjoy a fusion of world-class jazz and the scenic beauty of Islay. This year's festival, which begins on September 20th, promises to be an unforgettable experience, with a stellar line-up of jazz legends, emerging talents, and special guests.

The 14-year-old Lagavulin Jazz Festival whisky has been designed to match the grandeur of the event. With just 1,500 bottles available for purchase, this limited-edition release is expected to be highly sought after. Bottled at a robust 56.1% ABV, the whisky will retail for £240 per 70cl bottle, reflecting both its rarity and quality.

What Makes the Whisky Special?

Lagavulin has always been known for its rich, smoky single malts, but this latest release adds a new layer of complexity to the distillery’s traditional offerings. By finishing the whisky in South African Cabernet Sauvignon wine casks, the distillers have introduced rich, dark, and tropical flavors that complement the bold smokiness for which Lagavulin is known. This unique cask finish imparts a creamy-smooth texture and a slightly sweeter taste, perfectly balanced with the signature saltiness of Lagavulin.

The whisky has been described as “an intense, powerful, and wonderfully deep liquid,” offering a truly exceptional drinking experience. Famed whisky writer Charles MacLean praised the release as “an exciting example of Lagavulin,” noting that while it is sweeter than standard bottlings, it retains the distillery’s well-loved character.

Jordan Paisley, the Lagavulin distillery manager, shared his excitement about the release: “Lagavulin Jazz Festival has been a highlight for Islay residents and fans around the globe, and we’re very excited to celebrate this moment with such a special bottling. This is a rich, complex Lagavulin with dark and tropical flavours that add a new layer to our much-loved signature smoke.”

A Line-Up of Jazz Greats

This year’s Islay Jazz Festival will see performances by a diverse range of artists, blending the old and the new. Featured performers include jazz legends such as pianist Paul Harrison, saxophonist Helena Kay, and vocalist Laura Oghagbon. Adding to the excitement is the festival’s long-standing icon, saxophonist Laura Macdonald, whose performances have become a festival highlight over the years.

The festival provides an ideal backdrop for the launch of the new whisky, celebrating both the rich cultural heritage of Islay and the enduring popularity of Lagavulin whisky. The distillery is hosting two special “All That Jazz” tastings on September 21st, giving attendees the chance to savor five rare expressions of Lagavulin, including long-sold-out gems. Each whisky will be paired with a music track chosen to complement the flavor profile, offering a multisensory experience that showcases the craftsmanship behind each expression.

Exclusive Availability

While the Lagavulin Jazz Festival bottling will be available for purchase at the distillery during the festival, a small allocation will be made available to members of the Malts.com Malts Club after the event. Given the limited number of bottles—only 1,500 in total—this exclusive release is expected to sell out quickly.

Whisky collectors and enthusiasts looking to get their hands on this rare bottle will likely need to act fast, especially considering the popularity of previous festival releases. The combination of the whisky’s unique finish, limited availability, and the excitement surrounding the festival makes this a must-have for serious Lagavulin fans.

The Islay Jazz Festival Experience

The Islay Jazz Festival is more than just a celebration of music and whisky—it’s a celebration of the island’s vibrant culture. The event has grown in popularity over the years, with Lagavulin’s sponsorship playing a key role in its success. The festival offers attendees the chance to enjoy world-class jazz performances in a stunning setting, with the rugged beauty of Islay providing the perfect backdrop.

The 2024 festival promises to be no different, with performances taking place in various unique venues around the island, from distilleries to intimate local halls. For those attending, the experience of sipping on a glass of Lagavulin’s special release while listening to the smooth sounds of jazz is sure to be an unforgettable one.

Conclusion

Lagavulin’s 14-Year-Old Jazz Festival bottling is a fitting tribute to both the world of whisky and jazz. With its South African Cabernet Sauvignon cask finish, this whisky brings a new dimension to Lagavulin’s classic smoky flavor profile, offering drinkers a rich, complex, and luxurious experience. Paired with the festival’s impressive line-up of jazz talent, the 2024 Islay Jazz Festival promises to be an event that whisky and music lovers won’t want to miss.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of Lagavulin or a newcomer to the brand, this limited-edition release is a rare opportunity to experience one of Islay’s most famous distilleries at its finest.

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About Lagavulin Distillery

Lagavulin Distillery is an iconic Scotch whisky distillery located on the southern coast of the Isle of Islay in Scotland. Established in 1816, Lagavulin has a long and distinguished history in the production of peated single malt Scotch whiskies. The distillery is renowned for its rich, intense, and heavily peated whiskies, which are beloved by enthusiasts around the world.

The character of Lagavulin whiskies is largely influenced by the maritime climate of Islay and the use of locally sourced peat during the malting process. Lagavulin malts its own barley, and the peat used in this process contributes to the distinctive smoky and medicinal notes that are characteristic of Islay whiskies. The barley is malted on-site using traditional floor malting methods, and the distillery employs copper pot stills for the distillation process.

Lagavulin offers a range of expressions, each with its own unique profile. The Lagavulin 16-Year-Old is perhaps the most well-known and widely available expression, appreciated for its complex balance of peat, sweetness, and maritime influences. The distillery has also released limited-edition expressions and special releases, showcasing the versatility and craftsmanship of Lagavulin whiskies.

The distillery itself is situated in a picturesque setting along the rugged coastline of Islay, providing a stunning backdrop for visitors. Tours of the Lagavulin Distillery are available, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to learn about the whisky-making process, explore the historic premises, and, of course, enjoy tastings of Lagavulin's exceptional whiskies.

Lagavulin has earned a loyal following among whisky connoisseurs, and its expressions are often considered benchmarks for lovers of peated Scotch whiskies. The combination of traditional production methods, Islay's unique terroir, and the dedication to crafting high-quality whiskies has solidified Lagavulin's place as one of the esteemed distilleries in Scotland.