After having met Fred Laing of Douglas Laing and Co at Whiskyexpo in Linköping, Sweden in February of 2015 where he made a great impression upon us we decided that we really would like to visit him in the Douglas House for a tasting during our trip to Northern Highlands and the Orkney Islands in April of 2015. When we contacted Fred he warmly welcomed us and also gave us a lot of tips on what to do on our stay in Glasgow.
And so, on the 10th of April we had the luck to enter The Douglas House for some rememberable hours together with Fred in “The dangerous room”!
First in line was a 25 yo single grain whisky, distilled in 1989: Strathclyde 25 Year Old (cask 10446) – The Clan Denny. You might think this Lowland whisky at 56.2 % might be tough and so it is, but in its own good way with smooth butterscotch flavors. What a good start!
After this Fred presented us a bottle of the Director’s cut Collection, namely North British 50 yo 1962 single cask grain whisky. Just imagine a well-balanced, fruity whisky with spicy finish (from the very same year I first heard the Beatles!) and you might get a hint of this wonderful whisky!
And next we had the pleasure of enjoying Miltonduff 20 yo 1994 single malt (from the Old Particular Single Cask Collection). A tasty masterpiece, strong and sweet with lots of citrus. Of course non chill filtered and with no colours added!
Next in line was Craigellachie 18 yo 1995 single malt (another fine piece from the Old Particular Single Cask Collection). This Speyside whisky has matured in a single Sherry butt and 252 bottles of this one was produced.
And so….Scallywag Cask Strength Limited Edition
Late 2013 bottler Douglas Laing introduced the “vatted malt” Scallywag so this Cask Strength could, as someone has said, be looked upon as “a partner in crime”!
To quote Fred Laing: “This Cask Strength Scallywag bottling makes the wee dog’s eyes pop, his ears blow open and his monocle ping – but it will make your palate sing. The mellifluously fruity, spicy character and barley, mocha, vanilla and orange-y flavors make it a human treat worth begging for.” Rich taste and dark colour from some of the finest Speyside brands is what you get here! Available from Whisky Retailers in June 2015!
“And now for something completely different” (yes, just like they used to say on “The Monty Python´s Flying Circus”) and so it really was. For KWA, who has visited Islay as well as Orkney in the last, years tasting Rock Oyster (blended malt) reminded us of these islands. A little salt with hints of peat and ash. Refreshing, indeed!
Last but not least, time for Timorous Beastie (Blended malt) made of Highland whiskies. Sherry influenced, dried fruits such as apricot are some of the things you experience here and this was just the perfect whisky to end our tasting with
Finally: From the bottom of our hearts, a lot of thanks to Fred together with all you wonderful people at Douglas Laing for giving us a memory that will last our lives through. After all, nice friends and a good whisky what else could you possibly need?
www.facebook.com/scallywagwhisky,