Douglas Laing releases Old Particular range

Douglas Laing & Co is releasing a new core single malt single cask range of Scotch whiskies called Old Particular.

The independent Scotch whisky specialist claims the new release is a ‘particularly’ unique series of individually hand-selected aged single cask malts from all over Scotland – each bottled according to the founders’ philosophy of topmost quality. Meaning, Old Particular bottlings are from only one cask, without colouring and without chill filtration – allowing the cask and the naturally present oils, fats and enzymes in the spirit to make their own special contribution to its nose, mouthfeel, palate and finish.

The Pocket Rocket Creative agency in Stirling, Scotland, worked with the company to develop the packaging design and John Watson & Company in Glasgow, printed the labels and presentation tubes.

Launching this September and available from specialist whisky retailers, bottlings that feature in this first batch including malts distilled at Bowmore, Caperdonich and Port Ellen distilleries to name but a few.

Since the start of the year, the Douglas Laing team has been quietly progressing and developing this exciting new range, which they believe is their best yet. Fred Laing, company MD, and Jan Beckers, global malt ambassador, have long been the ‘noses’ within Douglas Laing. Accordingly they have been particularly busy selecting casks, writing tasting notes and determining the optimum alcohol strength at which to release this new series.

Douglas Laing has chosen to bottle Old Particular at three different alcohol strengths. Some rarities will be bottled at cask or natural strength and thereafter 48.4% for the bottlings aged to 18 years and 51.5% for 19 and over.

Jan Beckers comments: “I am lucky enough to have been involved in the selection of thousands of casks at Douglas Laing and I am particularly excited about this new range. We believe the lower strength of 48.4% allows the ‘younger’, feistier Whiskies to soften out some of their ‘hotter’ characteristics. The older Malts have already had the effect of the Angel’s Share to mollify some of these hot spots and we believe at 51.5% strength, we achieve exactly the quality we want.”

11 September 2013 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor