Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Gradation: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: No
Owner: Hunter Laing & Company
Average price: € 50.00
Official website: hunterlaing.com
Vote: 83/100
The story of the Laing family is one of those with deep roots in Scotland, where the love of whisky is passed down from father to son and becomes almost a reason for living, so much so that staying under the same roof soon begins to feel cramped.
Hunter Laing was born in 2013, when Stewart decided to separate from his brother Fred and leave the family business, Douglas Laing, to found his own with his sons Andrew and Scott, taking with him some of the labels produced until then.
As lifelong bottlers, they diversified their lines by producing not only single casks but also a single malt from Islay with an undisclosed provenance (Scarabus) and founded their own distillery a few years later, also on the island: Ardnahoe.
In 2018 they launched The Journey Series, which, inspired by Stewart’s travels, aims to represent the various aspects of Scotch whisky, a bit like his brother’s Remarkable Regional Malts.
They debuted with Highland Journey which was followed a year later by Islay Journey (with a different green label to the current one), and to which Campbeltown Journey and Hebridean Journey were added over time.
Blended of single malts from Islay, including Caol Ila and Lagavulin, with ageing not stated as much as type, specifying only ex-Bourbon casks in the mix.
Tasting notes
The peat profile is predominant on the nose, declined in notes of barbecue sauce and smoked fish with veins of pine needles, cinnamon, nutmeg, candied orange. Simple and straightforward, its sweeter soul is reinforced over time with caramel, Catalan cream and a hint of salt.
On the palate it reflects the sensations on the nose, taking up the thread of the sweeter notes with a crisp touch of sea breeze, the blood orange reinforces its presence alongside apple and spices with meaty and smoky accents well grafted along the dram. Hint of sweet liquorice and rhubarb on the length.
Medium-long finish with spice brushstrokes on caramel, tamarind, dull charcoal, saline traits.
Perfect embodiment of the spirit of Islay, more in the vein of Caol Ila than Ardbeg, an introductory whisky to the island’s evocations with just the right balance that neither surprises nor impresses, nor does it even want to. Pleasant to drink, it’s certainly not aimed at long-term drinkers but is perfect for those who want to start out.