Origin: Highlands (Scotland)
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 54.4%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Douglas Laing & Co.
Average price: € 70.00
Official website: www.douglaslaing.com
Vote: 86/100
Back to the Remarkable Regional Malts series from the well-known Glasgow bottler, with the blended representing Highland whiskies.
As with other labels in the series, limited editions are made alongside the basic version with no ageing statement with the years of maturation indicated on the label, and underneath the little mouse’s fearful face I therefore find myself with a bottle containing whiskies aged at least 12 years and cask strength, 3,000 bottles released in early 2019.
It’s assumed (but there is no official confirmation) that the whiskies come as for the basic version from among others Blair Athol, Glen Garioch, Dalmore and Glengoyne, and are mostly aged in ex-Bourbon casks.
The mouse on the label is a tribute to the Scottish poet Robert Burns’ poem, To a Mouse, to which I refer you in the original version.
Tasting notes
Pale gold with copper highlights in the glass.
On the nose it has the acidity of unripe fruit, such as green apples, together with lime juice and yoghurt, overlying a body of vanilla and shortbread, basically a lemon tart. No alcoholic whiff.
The palate is oily and consistent, with a sweeter heart of vanilla cream, caramel, melon, orange juice and a touch of nuts. Caress of wood in the background, with some tea leaf notes that refresh. Nice overall peppiness. Compact and solid.
Rather long and dry finish of green apples, hazelnuts, caramel, tea leaves.
A whisky with a distinctive nose that leads to a less original but decisive palate, the alcohol content does not disturb at all but provides the necessary depth that makes the dram interesting and varied even if not particularly complex.
Reviews of Douglas Laing whisky in the blog:
Big Peat 10yo
Big Peat 33yo Cognac & Sherry Finish
Big Peat Christmas Edition 2020
Big Peat Small Batch
Old Malt Cask Ardbeg 1991 (13yo)
Old Particular Auchroisk 18yo
Old Particular The Christmas Edition 2005
Rock Island
Scallywag
Timorous Beastie 18yo The Winter Edition
Other perspectives:
Whisky Reviews