Douglas Laing & Co

Douglas Laing & Co was established in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing. It is a distinguished independent blender and bottler of Scotch whisky based in Glasgow, Scotland. Their first brand, King of Scots, was the beginning of a legacy that has spanned over seven decades.

Today, Douglas Laing remains a family-owned enterprise, now in its third generation, they are dedicated to producing artisanal small-batch and single-cask Scotch whiskies.

The family abide by the philosophy of presenting whisky “as the Distiller intended”. They are committed to bottling the whisky “as natural as it gets”, this allows enthusiasts around the world to come as close as they possibly can to sampling a dram straight from the cask of a Scottish Distillery Warehouse.

A cornerstone of their portfolio is the “Remarkable Regional Malts” collection. This beautifully represents Scotland’s diverse whisky-producing regions and includes:

• The Epicurean: A Lowland blended malt introduced in 2016, featuring a 1930s-inspired character on its packaging.
   
• Timorous Beastie: Launched in 2014, this Highland blended malt pays homage to Robert Burns' poem "To a Mouse," with a mouse depicted on its label.
   
• Scallywag: A Speyside blended malt introduced in 2013, showcasing a Fox Terrier on its packaging in tribute to the Laing family's beloved pets.
   
• Rock Island: Formerly known as Rock Oyster, this blend combines single malts from Islay, Arran, Jura, and Orkney, embodying the maritime character of Scotland's islands.
   
• Big Peat: A robust Islay blended malt that brings together whiskies from renowned distilleries such as Ardbeg, Bowmore, and Port Ellen.
   

In 2019, Douglas Laing expanded its operations by acquiring the Strathearn Distillery in Perthshire. This move marked a significant milestone, transitioning the company from independent bottling to distilling its own single malt Scotch whisky.

The first release under this new venture, known as "The Heart" was launched in 2022, offering whisky enthusiasts a unique expression matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, new oak, and sherry casks. Bottled at 50% ABV, this non-chill-filtered whisky reflects the company's commitment to quality and tradition.

Douglas Laing continues to innovate within the whisky industry. In October 2024, the company unveiled "Double Barrel India & Scotland," a pioneering blend that marries single malts from both India and Scotland. This unique offering exemplifies their dedication to exploring new horizons in whisky blending.

Throughout its history, Douglas Laing & Co. has maintained a steadfast commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation, solidifying its reputation as a prominent figure in the world of Scotch whisky.

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• Written by Oliver Partington