World Whiskies Awards 2016 - Best Argentinian Single Malt
La Alazana Whisky Bottle
Argentina's first single malt from a Farm Distillery is owned and run by the pioneering Serenelli Family producing Patagonia's first single malt whisky from the fields to the bottle.
A variety of barley is grown on site at their farm, before being malted at the distillery. It's these varieties that contribute to the distinctive character of their 100% Patagonian expressions along with their local peat source for their peated malts. They also produce expressions using the best Scottish malts.
Combining their local ingredients with spring water of unmatched purity from the Andes mountains, their double distillation technique renders a fine and elegant spirit, matured in special American and French oak casks including Ex-bourbon, sherry, cognac and wine.
The local microclimate in their valley allows for a long and smooth maturation, giving their whisky a unique Patagonian finish.
The climate and purity of the water alone make Patagonia an exceptional choice of region for distilling and maturing single malt
Interesting Facts
A family run and owned farm to flask Distillery even La Alazana's copper pot stills were designed and built locally
Co-Owner & Head Distiller Lila is proud to have graduated from Heriot-Watt University, Scotland with the first Argentine MSc in Brewing and Distilling
They use a double distillation process that renders a fine and elegant spirit that is matured in special American and French oak casks
The climate and purity of the local water make Patagonia an exclusive region for distilling and maturing single malt. Patagonian soil used to grow organic barley will give its distinction to our whisky.
La Alazana's single malt whisky's base is ex-bourbon casks from Kentucky (Makers Mark, Buffalo Trace and Four Roses)
La Alazana are proud pioneers in growing barley varieties for whisky, and malting them on site at their distillery. These varieties contribute to the distinctive character of their 100% Patagonian expressions while their other expressions use the best Scottish malts
They also use a local peat source for their peated malts and even cooperage occurs on site - on occasion cutting staves from the very scarce French oak grown in the surrounding areas
A new warehouse has just been added in 2020 with room for maturing another 160 casks and space for visitors to live the 'whisky experience' with tasting straight from the cask
Cask World's Highlights
Travelling to Argentina’s La Alazana Distillery deep in a valley dominated by the towering Andes to meet the Serenellis is another of my favourite whisky adventures. Nestor, Lila, and their son Tommy are a passionate entrepreneurial family following their dreams to create Argentina’s premium single malt and have successfully achieved world-class expressions.
Both Lila and Tommy have completed a combined 8 years of distillation studies at Scotland’s Harriet-Watt University. Nestor has built a successful tool business with shops in the surrounding areas - using his keen eye, technical and construction experience to build the homemade still which tames down the sulphurs to make their light and fruity distillate.
Their barley is grown in the surrounding Patagonian fields; standing there with a bottle of their 10-year-old whisky in my hand knowing that a decade ago barley was harvested from right under our feet to produce that very bottle felt good. At that moment I could really appreciate the vision that they had at the beginning and the satisfaction they must feel now as they enjoy their finished expressions after so many years of immense hard work and overcoming obstacles.
I was touched to meet another family on our planet dedicating their lives to the extraordinary world of craft and bespoke single malt production. And by their gracious hospitality and community spirit in a picture-perfect setting - enjoying amazing food like fresh Pacific salmon whilst exchanging whisky stories for hours by the fire light under the incredible stars. Such a very special place producing a very special whisky.
We are proud to have whisky maturing in Argentina and believe in the Serenelli family and the future of La Alazana’s brand, leading the way for Patagonia’s premium single malt.
La Alazana at a glance
Distillery Name
La Alazana
Founders (if appropriate)
Nestor & Lila Serenelli
Distillery Age
Established 2011
Distillery Location
Lago Puelo, Argentina
Head Distiller
Lila Serenelli
The Team
Nestor Serenelli - Co-Owner
Lila Tognetti Serenelli - Co-Owner & Head Distiller
Plus their three sons; Tommy, Martin and GonzaloFacilities
Special copper pot stills designed by the distillery and built locally, their own varieties of Barley, cooperage including growing their own wood to create their own casks, a cask warehouse (finished in 2020), bottling and even a smoke house and their own malting plant
Primary Whisky Types
Classic: Matured in ex-bourbon and sherry casks
Haidd Merlys: Peated (UK malt so far), matured in ex-bourbon casks
They also have a Haidd Merlys Chardonnay Cask finish, an Organic Malt (matured in virgin oak) and a Cognac cask matured expression
Cask Types
Virgin American Oak, Patagonian Oak Barrels, Ex-Bourbon, Ex-Sherry, Ex-Cognac & Ex-Wine casks
Cask Storage
Purpose built cask warehouse (finished in 2020)
Av. Length of Maturation
8-10 years
Angels' Share
2 to 3%
Current Bottle Prices
$2-300
Awards
Spirit Selection Awards 2018 - Gold Medal for the Classic
World Whiskies Awards 2016 - Best Argentinian Single Malt for the Classic
Scottish Craft Distillers Association 2015 - Gold Award for the Classic
Take a look around
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