Origin: Speyside (Scotland)
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry
Chillfiltered: No
Additional coloring: No
Owner: Douglas Laing
Average price: € 57.00
Official website: www.douglaslaing.com
Vote: 84/100
Enterprising and ingenious Scottish bottler Douglas Laing is certainly not lacking in imagination or eccentricity, and in their Remarkable Regional Malts series (which includes the well-known Big Peat) they have created some very interesting bottles.
A blended for each Scottish region, and where the aforementioned Big Peat holds high the flag for Islay, this Scallywag (dedicated to the fox terriers that have always been part of the Laing family) is responsible for representing the whiskies of Speyside.
Produced in small batches, it’s made from whiskies sourced from various distilleries in the area including Mortlach, Macallan, Inchgower, Dailuaine and Glenrothes.
There is also a ten year stated ageing version, matured entirely in ex-Sherry casks, and other special versions of twelve, thirteen and twenty years.
Tasting notes
Gold with copper highlights in the glass.
The nose opens on sherried components of red fruits and plums, sultanas and damp wood, with brushstrokes of vanilla, salted caramel and a hint of unripe apple. Light grassy background.
And on the palate the sherry makes itself felt immediately, very dry, with a slight alcoholic bite that accompanies the aromas of vanilla, spices (black pepper and a touch of ginger), plums, prunes, hazelnuts, chocolate-covered candied orange, malt. The herbaceous scents return, still in the background but sharper than on the nose, with a hint of toasted wood. Not particularly complex but lively.
The finish is moderately long, dry, of pepper, sultanas, plums and toasted wood.
With more bite than I would have expected, it’s a good introductory whisky without being anonymous or dull, offering enough character not to be boring while keeping on track for an all in all simple but enjoyable dram.
Reviews of Douglas Laing whisky
Other perspectives:
The Whiskey Wash