One of the whisky industry’s most respected figures, Lagavulin’s Iain McArthur, retired last year – but his illustrious career has been memorialized by two lasting tributes.
Firstly, BAFTA award-winning director, Eilidh Munro, has created a six minute film which tells the story of Iain’s impact not just on Lagavulin but also on the whisky industry.
“The Legend of Lagavulin was a joy of a film to make,” said Munro. “It was clear from the get go why Iain is a true legend – not only because of the years he has spent at the distillery but because of the warmth, energy and welcoming spirit he shows to everyone who crosses his path.
“The documentary style felt like the best way to capture this in the most natural way possible, and it was a pleasure to work alongside the distillery team and Lagavulin community to make this film celebrating the one and only Iain McArthur.”
The second retirement marker is the release of a very special 18-year-old bottling, ‘Iain’s Farewell Dram.’
From a carefully selected cask that he himself filled 18 years ago, Iain hand poured the bottles at the Lagavulin Distillery earlier this week. Matured in second-fill Manzanilla casks, Iain’s Farewell Dram is said to have ‘notes of smouldering wood embers perfectly balanced with ripe orchard fruits and aromatic spice’.
With only a handful of these special edition bottles available, purchase is via a ballot and lucky buyers must be able to pick up the bottle from the distillery in 2025.
Iain’s friends and family are getting the first opportunity to purchase a bottling on December 14th. A further 18 bottles will then be available to buy from Lagavulin through the ballot until December 31st.
McArthur started his whisky career at Port Ellen Distillery before joining Lagavulin, where he has been an integral part of the team for half a century.
Renowned for his versatility, McArthur has transitioned between roles, from peat cutting to overseeing casks, and conducting his famous warehouse tasting sessions for distillery visitors.
Iain 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’s Farewell Dram has been bottled at 58.7% ABV, with an RRP of £350.
