This February, we stepped into Suite Peat to celebrate the debut of Lagavulin 11 Year Old Sweet Peat Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and the experience was anything but ordinary. Held at The Bowery Hotel during Fashion Week, the evening transformed the chic Soho space into an immersive world inspired by Lagavulin and its smoky-sweet new expression.
It felt like stepping into a creative playground where whisky, fashion, scent, and sound all intersected.
From the moment we arrived, the energy was set by a live DJ who kept the room buzzing all night and attire that radiated fashion week. One of our favorite moments of the night was the fragrance-making station. Set up at the bar, guests were invited to craft their own custom scents, incorporating whisky-inspired notes that mirrored Sweet Peat’s profile—think warm vanilla, soft spice, hints of smoke. It was a clever, sensory extension of the tasting, translating flavor into fragrance in a way that felt both elevated and playful. We opted for sandalwood and Bergamot notes.
Then there was the showstopper: a room transformed into “Hotel Lagavulin.” Complete with a king-size bed, styled bellhops, a fireplace and bottles of Sweet Peat used as props, it was totally cheeky and leaned into the charm of the Bowery’s boutique aesthetic. It was designed for photos—and the crowd absolutely took advantage. It was a centerpiece of the experience but off course, we came for the whisky.
Aged 11 years in first-fill American oak ex-bourbon casks, Sweet Peat offers a softer, more rounded take on Lagavulin’s signature smoke. Neat, it opened with gentle sweetness and a touch of salinity before layers of bonfire smoke, toffee apple, honeyed malt, and vanilla unfolded. The finish lingered with peat and subtle dark chocolate. We also tried the two signature cocktails created for the launch. The Smoky Sweet Old Fashioned leaned into warm spice and orange oils, while the Sweet Peat Tea—a Penicillin-inspired serve with honey-ginger syrup, lemon, and black tea—showed just how versatile this expression can be. There were two bars set-up around the three rooms and it was no surprise that guests gathered around, excitedly trying the whisky in different forms.
As the first permanent addition to the Lagavulin portfolio in nearly a decade, Sweet Peat is an evolution that stays true to its origin, but is approachable, layered and modern. Suite Peat wasn’t just a launch party – it was a scene of music, scent, design, and storytelling built around a whisky with heritage and innovation.
If this is the new era of Lagavulin, we’re here for it.
