Origin: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46.8%ABV
Ageing casks: N/A
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Douglas Laing & Co.
Average price: € 90.00
Official website: www.douglaslaing.com
A few years after the NAS edition, we taste Douglas Laing’s blended malt in the 21-year-old version. It is worth remembering that the malts it contains come from Arran, Islay, Jura and the Orkney Islands, that the exact casks are not known and, above all, that, contrary to popular belief, blended malts are by no means the children of inferior whiskies and deserve greater respect, if only for the extreme care they require in the blending phase.
The strength is the same as the NAS: 46.8%ABV. 4,200 bottles produced, not easy to find.
Tasting Notes
The colour is pale gold.
On the nose, we are greeted by an unexpected hay reminiscence, while the smoke, which we expected to be more intense, is a puff between pungent and marine. Charcoal and sweet liquorice do not challenge the proscenium, but give way to an important pastry note. A rather shy hint of vanilla and a touch of yellow apple complete a harmonious but qualitatively underwhelming picture.
On the palate, we are greeted by a hint of pepper before a hint of apple cake takes over. The fruity dimension clearly prevails here: peach, apricot and yellow apple, with a hint of blood orange. The smoke is more fleeting than a formed sensation.
The medium-long finish brings together pastry, apricot, sweet liquorice, vanilla, a puff of smoke and a dusting of pepper, and is perhaps the most convincing moment of the entire tasting.
No matter how well it is sealed and preserved, it is always best to take a sample. We say this because the label proclaims pronounced marine qualities, which, to be honest, we detected only slightly. Once that was cleared up, the Rock Island 21yo struck us as a smooth and appetising enough drink to appeal to a wide audience, even if it’s unlikely to leave us with indelible memories.
Vote: 84/100