Priceless Bottle of Malt Mill Unveiled at Lagavulin Distillery - Story From Award Winning Film Becomes Reality

LONDON, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The world's only known bottle of Malt Mill new-make spirit will be unveiled for enthusiasts and whisky pilgrims at the Lagavulin distillery today. Thought to have disappeared forever, Malt Mill is the basis of the plot for the award-winning Ken Loach film, The Angels' Share.

Charles Maclean, the world's leading whisky writer, comments on the unveiling. "This bottle is priceless. Malt Mill is legendary, and is viewed by many as the holy grail. It is an extremely significant moment and I'm delighted to be part of it."

Dr Nick Morgan, head of whisky outreach, Diageo, adds, "In my twenty years as an historian and archivist, I've always wanted to see this unique bottle of Malt Mill go on display. We are thrilled to share this precious artefact with the many whisky enthusiasts who visit Lagavulin every year."

Rebecca O' Brien, Producer for The Angels' Share, says, "It is wonderful to think this bottle has been passed down from distillery manager to distillery manager for fifty years here on Islay. Our film hinges on the auction of an imaginary cask of Malt Mill precisely because everyone agreed it was so rare. Now the very DNA of Malt Mill has been brought to light."

The bottle of Malt Mill came to light after the Lagavulin distillery manager, Georgie Crawford, heard about the film. Involving some whisky related shennanigans, and based on an auction of an imaginary last cask of Malt Mill, she brought out the Malt Mill from its secret location. It had been passed on to her by her predecessor, the former Lagavulin distillery manager.

The Angels' Share, which is currently on general cinema release, was written by Scot Paul Laverty and was filmed in various locations around Scotland last summer.  The film was a hit at this year's Cannes Film Festival where it won the coveted Jury Prize.

Malt Mill was produced at a small distillery on the Lagavulin distillery site from 1908; production ceased in 1962 and this bottle is from the last fill in June 1962.

Notes to editors

About Lagavulin

Lagavulin © 16 year old single malt Scotch whisky speaks of the smoked peat and mineral water of the wild terrain of Islay. The distillery, cut into the romantic and rugged bay of Lagavulin, has been producing whisky since 1816.  Favoured for it intense smoked aroma; lapsang souchong on the nose is followed by peat on the palate and sea salt, with an elegant wood finish.

About Sixteen Films

Formed by director Ken Loach and producer Rebecca O'Brien in 2002, with writer Paul Laverty as Associate Director, Sixteen Films produces the films they make together and looks after the works in their shared archive.  The company also makes a small number of films with producers, writers and directors who have worked with the team in the past.  For more information go to http://www.sixteenfilms.co.uk

The LAGAVULIN word and associated logos are trademarked. © 2012

The Angels' Share PR

UK Press: (eOne) Victoria Cox +44(0)7974-917141 vcox@entonegroup.com; French Press: (Le Pacte) Laurence Granec and Karine Menard + 33-1-47-20-36-66 laurence.karine@granecmenard.com; International Press: Charles McDonald +44(0)7785-246377 charles@charlesmcdonald.co.uk

Lagavulin PR

Susannah@storypr.co.uk or +44(0)7747-464-4679 or +44(0)207-268-6821; Ailana@storypr.co.uk or +44(0)7713-621-683

SOURCE Diageo