Japanese oak, also referred to as Mizunara oak, is probably the rarest component from which whisky barrels can be made. Due to the slow growth and knotted stature of the respective trees, the processing of this kind of wood requires excellent craftmanship (more…)
In a way, whisky blending is like alchemy. Cause just like the proto-scientists of yore, whisky blenders also create an elixir of life (“aqua vitae”), turn differing raw materials into gold (albeit in liquid form) and produce a universal solvent (if the blend is good, one sip is all it takes (more…)
Although he was the first Remarkable Malt to hit the market back in 2009, it took Big Peat quite a while until he received a special bottling with an age statement. However, after his friends Scallywag, Timorous Beastie and Rock Oyster had all spawned limited editions (more…)
A monster does not necessarily have to be a gargantuan behemoth that rages and stampedes day in, day out. It can also be a more refined and evolved creature – like the Alien in Ridley Scott’s eponymous sci-fi classic or the Pale Man in “Pan’s Labyrinth”. Or The Peat Monster (more…)
Nomad is a whisky with a twist. Although it was created in Scotland by Whyte & Mackay’s legendary master blender Richard “The Nose” Paterson”, this marriage of more than 30 carefully selected malts and grains did not get bottled on Scottish soil. (more…)
The chemistry part of the whisky making process is incredibly fascinating… and incredibly complex. Unfortunately, I am always a bit lost when the interaction between the molecules in the air, metal, wood and spirit is being explained in detail. (more…)
Up in the Highlands ‘twixt mountains and glens,
There lives a wee beastie, our special friend.
He’s shy and he’s coy and he’s also quite jumpy. (more…)
Traditionally, Douglas Laing release a new cask strength edition of their best-selling Big Peat brand every year in time for the festive season. Previously, the Christmas Edition 2016 surprised its fans by being the first (and for a long time most likely also the last) blended malt (more…)
Happy Halloween, all ye boozy beasts and well-oiled witches! Today I would like to introduce you to the sixth addition of Douglas Laing’s celebrated Remarkable Regional Malts range called The Cauldrons. If you have visited our blog before, you might already have stumbled (more…)
When they created their Remarkable Regional Malts range, the people at Douglas Laing wanted to offer their customers high-quality blended malts that embody the unique characteristics of the different whisky regions in Scotland. Rock Oyster represents the maritime island whiskies (more…)
