Glenlochy 38yo 1965/2003

Glenlochy 38yo 1965/2003

Old and Rare, Douglas Laing
Single malt - West Highlands
Amber orange
42.3% ABV

Dram

Nose: Magic marker, pandan, orange peel, malted grains, molasses, black pepper. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Magic marker, molasses, barley sugar, malted grains, black tea, heather, pandan, hints of candle wax. 
Finish: Long. Heather, hay, black tea, malted grains. 

Comments: 

Rather herbal and grassy, not as many saline notes as I’d expect given what I found in other Glenlochies. No water, it’s a bit low in strength and rather drinkable as is.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Timorous Beastie

Timorous Beastie

Douglas Laing
Blend
Golden
46.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, cream, honey, heather, lemon zest, nectarines, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, cool, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Green apples, cream, lemon zest, honey, molasses, cinder toffee, hints of smoke. 
Finish: Medium. Gentian, smoke, cinder toffee, honey. 

Comments: 

Quite a complex blend, with a distinctive smoky appley note. It’s builds to a complex finish that is both smoky and sweet. A very elegant whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Blair Athol 25yo 1975/2000

Blair Athol 25yo 1975/2000

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale orange gold
49.3% ABV
Dram

Nose: Yoghurt, wet stones, ink, molasses, lemon zest, orange peel, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, cool, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Molasses, wet stones, orange peel, lemon zest, cream, iron filings, hints of mangoes. 
Finish: Long. Molasses, cream, gentian, wet stones, hints of iron filings. 

Comments: 

Quite lactic, with minerally notes all throughout. But there’s also oranges and lemjns and hints of tropical fruit. The finish is surprisingly bitter and minerally, with a burnt sugar sweetness.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Scallywag Winter Edition

Scallywag Winter Edition

Douglas Laing
Blended malt
Golden brown
52.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Apple juice, cloves, raisins, golden syrup, fresh baked bread, black pepper, nutmeg. With water, vanilla sponge, butter, raisins, apple juice. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, tingly, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Apple juice, damson jam, raisins, honey, golden syrup, nutmeg, cloves. With water, raisins, prunes, damson jam, black pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Black pepper, fresh baked bread, nutmeg, golden syrup. 

Comments: 

A very appley blend, from Douglas Laing. Not sure what’s in here but it tastes quite a lot like mulled apple cider. A perfect winter dram, as it says on the bottle.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Gauldrons Sherry Cask Batch 002

Gauldrons Sherry Cask Batch 002

Douglas Laing

Blend
Amber
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, raspberry jam, orange peel, molasses, leather, peat, hints of cloves. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, mouth coating, expands, cool. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raspberry jam, orange peel, molasses, leather, peat, malted grains, rubber bands, hints of black pepper. 
Finish: Long. Black pepper, malted grains, molasses, raspberry jam, hints of petrol exhaust. 

Comments: 

Fruity and sweet, lots of jammy notes. But there’s a little sulphur, maybe something rubbery and some peppery spice. It’s a bit of Campbeltown in the blend, if I’m any judge.

Verdict:

I like this.

Girvan 19yo 2002/2022

Girvan 19yo 2002/2022

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single grain - Lowlands
Amber
51.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: White pepper, sandalwood, vanilla, oak chips, lemon zest, hints of smoke, hints of gooseberries. With water, oak chips, molasses, hints of smoke. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, slippery, expands, tingly. 
Tasting:  Sweet sour. Vanilla, corn syrup, white pepper, oak chips, malted grains, popcorn, lemon zest. With water, vanilla, lemon zest, popcorn. 
Finish: Medium. Photocopy paper, sandalwood, popcorn, toffee, hints of desiccated coconut. 

Comments: 

Cask DL 16487. Floral and woody, with plenty of popcorn, and perhaps a touch of smoke. Water brings out more vanilla, more wood and even more popcorn. Decent dram. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker 11yo 1988/1999

Talisker 11yo 1988/1999

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing

Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, peat, burning leaves, yoghurt, smoke, honey, fresh baked bread. With water, magic marker, fresh cut grass, acetone. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, expands, warm. 
Tasting:  Bitter sour. Malted grains, yoghurt, magic marker, burning leaves, honey, smoke, fresh baked bread. With water, acetone, peat, magic marker, burning leaves. 
Finish: Medium. Burning leaves, peat, smoke, honey, lemon zest. 

Comments: 

Quite malty but laden with autumn flavours, burning leaves, smoke, and peat. Bitter and complex. A little more fruit would be good, I’m probably less of a nail varnish fan than most. Still, a rather good dram. 

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Creditable 25yo 1975/2001

Creditable 25yo 1975/2001

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Roast chicken, white grapes, malted grains, white wine, fresh cut grass, honey. With water, white grapes, honey, candle wax, lemon zest. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, warm, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sweet salty. Honey, white grapes, raisins, white wine, candle wax, malted grains, walnut skins. With water, candle wax, white grapes, grapefruit. 
Finish: Long. Candle wax, white grapes, malted grains, walnut skins. 

Comments: 

An old Cragganmore, both in age statement and time in the bottle. It’s very waxy, almost Clynelish-ey, and there’s a slightly bitter, nutty note that covers it all. Water brings out more wax, and a bit more sweetness and bitterness.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glen Garioch 35yo 1986/2021

Glen Garioch 35yo 1986/2021

Extra Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - East Highlands
Light gold 
50.5% ABV
Dram

Nose: Fresh cut grass, white grapes, leather, magic marker, pears, camphor, hints of chillies. With water, magic marker, camphor, sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, expands, airy. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. White grapes, leather, autumn leaves, mustard, chillies, pears, lohan fruit. With water, sea salt, pears, sandalwood, hints of fresh cut grass. 
Finish: Short. Pears, magic marker, white grapes, mustard. 

Comments: 

Cask DL15060. Very herbal and savoury, but there’s plenty of the more bitter and complex sorts of fruits - chillies and lohan- and a touch of the classic Garioch mustard. A slightly disappointing short finish.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Blair Athol 12yo 2011/2023

Blair Athol 12yo 2011/2023

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Central Highlands
Pale green

48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Gooseberries, wet stones, peaches, apricots, green tea, orange peel, hints of cinnamon. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, astringent, tingly, cool. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Wet stones, peaches, apricots, apple juice, fresh cut grass, gooseberries, white pepper. 
Finish: Medium. Wet stones, peaches, apricots, lemon juice, hints of white pepper. 

Comments: 

Cask DL17761. Very juicy, fruity, slightly minerally malt. Lots of the orchard and stone fruits that this distillery is known for, and a little spice at the end. Delicious whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Fettercairn 10yo 2012/2022

Fettercairn 10yo 2012/2022

Provenance, Douglas Laing
Single malt - East Highlands
Pale cream
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, yoghurt, malted grains, dunnage, vanilla, peanuts, caramel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, slippery, turns watery, cool. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Vanilla, butterscotch, caramel, walnuts, yoghurt, malted grains, lemon zest. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, dunnage, walnuts, vanilla. 

Comments: 

Cask DL16916. Tart, lots of green apples and butterscotch, with a pleasing complexity. There’s plenty of bitter notes, especially on the finish, that make this dram interesting.

Verdict:

I like this.

Talisker 10yo 2012/2022

Talisker 10yo 2012/2022

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Islands
Very pale gold
48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, honey, driftwood smoke, peat, wet stones, oyster shells, hints of orange juice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter. Oyster shells, peat, driftwood smoke, lemon sweets, honey, olive brine, hints of butterscotch. 
Finish: Long. Lemon sweets, orange juice, driftwood smoke, peat, coffee. 

Comments: 

Cask DL16341. A very savoury, yet delicate Talisker, with some sweet highlights. Nevertheless the first impression is bitter peat, covering some very delicate, almost floral flavours. Very impressive dram for its age.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Glengoyne 15yo 2007/2023

Glengoyne 15yo 2007/2023

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - South Highlands

Very pale gold
48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Honey, fresh cut grass, walnut skins, vanilla, caramel, cream, orange peel. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, cool, slightly astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Orange peel, lemon sweets, strawberry jam, caramel, cream, milk chocolate, hints of malted grains. 
Finish: Short. Milk chocolate, caramel, raisins, orange peel, hints of malted grains. 

Comments: 

Cask DL17235. Sweet and juicy, with rich notes of chocolate covered raisins. There’s also a good strong citrusy note, oranges and slightly savoury lemon sweets. Very nice whisky.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Coleburn 29yo 1970/1999

Coleburn 29yo 1970/1999

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Golden
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Lemon zest, brass polish, vitamin C tablets, fresh cut grass, orange juice. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, tingly, warm, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Orange juice, brass polish, wet stones, vitamin C tablets, leather, fresh cut grass, white chocolate, hints of vanilla. 
Finish: Medium. White chocolate, brass polish, leather, lemon zest, wet stones. 

Comments: 

Very different from the previous dram, this one is still citrusy but has a bit more of a herbal character. There’s quite a lot of white chocolate, and feinty notes appear after a little while. A dram to contemplate.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Coleburn 34yo 1967/2002

Coleburn 34yo 1967/2002

Old and Rare Platinum Selection, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Buttercups
50.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, lemon zest, cream soda, vanilla, leather, celery salt, hints of fresh cut grass. With water, malted grains, gooseberries, cream soda. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. White chocolate, leather, papayas, cream soda, celery salt, gooseberries, malted grains, hints of cloves. With water, malted grains, leather, gooseberries, photocopy paper. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, cream soda, cloves, white grapes. 

Comments: 

Excellent old Speyside whisky, like gooseberry cream soda. Lots of feinty notes appear with a few drops of water, and the old bottle effect comes through. Utterly delicious.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Arran 8yo 2014/2022

Arran 8yo 2014/2022

Provenance, Douglas Laing 
Single malt - Islands
Pale gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Wet stones, butterscotch, butter, vanilla, apples, shortcrust pastry, hints of white grapes. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, astringent, tingly, hot. 
Tasting:  Sour salty. Green apples, butter, wet stones, cinnamon, vanilla, malted grains, hints of lemon zest, hints of fried eggs. 
Finish: Medium. Green apples, vanilla, malted grains, ginseng. 

Comments: 

Nice, appley, malty whisky, but the Island character is a little muted. There’s some sea salt somewhere, and some sulphurous fried egg, but it’s sour and fruity really.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Auchentoshan 8yo 2015/2023

Auchentoshan 8yo 2015/2023

Provenance, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Lowlands
Green gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Green apples, almonds, passionfruit, vanilla sponge, honey, hints of ginger. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, tingly, astringent. 
Tasting:  Sour bitter. Almonds, passionfruit, barley sugar, green apples, malted grains, green tea, hints of vanilla sponge. 
Finish: Short. Vanilla, barley sugar, malted grains, ginger. 

Comments: 

Tart and light, lots of nice green apple notes. It’s got a bit of a tannic note hovering in the back, but this fades to sweet barley sugar on the finish. Rather pleasant.

Verdict:

I like this.

Auchentoshan 10yo 2013/2023

Auchentoshan 10yo 2013/2023

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Lowlands
Straw
48.4% ABV
Dram

Nose: Peaches, starfruit, malted grains, lemon zest, white grapes, gooseberries, white wine. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, volatile, mouth coating, airy. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Peaches, gooseberries, malted grains, ginseng, white wine, coffee, hints of candle wax. 
Finish: Short. Ginseng, malted grains, candle wax, coffee, peaches. 

Comments: 

Cask DL18160. I find this slightly unusual, it’s sweet, sure, but also fruity and waxy. It’s fragrant as well, displaying a good level of complexity. It’s tastes quite young for its age.

Verdict:

I like this.

Linlithgow 26yo 1975/2001

Linlithgow 26yo 1975/2001

Old Malt Cask, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Lowlands
Golden yellow
50% ABV
Dram

Nose: Leather, lemon zest, vanilla ice cream, malted grains, pears, cough syrup, hints of toast. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, expands slightly, mouth coating, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. Malted grains, hoppy beer, vanilla ice cream, peaches, cough syrup, honey, pears, hints of celery salt. 
Finish: Long. Fresh baked bread, malted grains, pears, peaches, honey. 

Comments: 

Beautiful old St Magdalene, lots of malted, stripped back fruit, exactly the style I love. There’s just a hint of old bottle effect, which offsets the maltiness and sweetness. Delicious.  

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Benrinnes 8yo 2014/2022

Benrinnes 8yo 2014/2022

Old Particular, Douglas Laing
Single malt - Speyside
Amber brown
57.2% ABV
Dram

Nose: Malted grains, dark chocolate, cherries, raisins, nutmeg, cloves, marshmallows. With water, orange peel, cherries, magic marker, malted grains. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, loosens, hot, mouth coating. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Dark chocolate, cloves, marshmallows, orange peel, oatcakes, kiwifruit, copra, vanilla. With water, orange peel, cherries, magic marker, marshmallows. 
Finish: Long. Dark chocolate, cloves, copra, raisins. 

Comments: 

Cask DL16320. Sherried Benrinnes, lots of Christmassy spices and cereal. But it’s a little one note, there aren’t the number of layers to it, and it doesn’t change as much in the glass as the very best whiskies do.

Verdict:

I like this.