Douglas Laing & Co reveals new single casks

Independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co. has revealed two single cask whisky releases under its Xtra Old Particular Black series.

The family business, which recently announced its acquisition of Strathearn Distillery in Perthshire, says the two latest XOP Black bottlings “represent perhaps the two most iconic whisky regions – Islay and Speyside – and are amongst the finest single casks bottled in our 71-years history”.  

The first is a single cask distilled at Islay’s Caol Ila Distillery in 1979, and was held in a hogshead cask which yielded just 160 bottles, at a natural cask strength of 51.2%. 

Alongside the Caol Ila 40 Years Old offering is a hogshead from the Macallan Distillery, distilled in 1989 and bottled at 30 Years Old. Just 230 bottles of this XOP Black bottling are available. It is 46% ABV.

Chris Leggat, CEO of the family business, remarks: "This is an exceptional duo unveiled at an incredibly exciting time for Douglas Laing & Co. From two of Scotland’s best known and loved distilleries, our new XOP Black Series releases represent the absolute pinnacle of antique Scotch whiskies, from casks selected at their peak of perfection by Fred Laing himself. Only a tiny percentage of the whisky-loving community will experience the decades of maturation and impact of quality wood on these two rare gems, and we truly hope those individuals savour every last drop."  

The latest XOP Black Series bottlings – Caol Ila Vintage 1979 and Macallan Vintage 1989 – are expected to retail at £1500 and £4000 respectively at specialist spirits retailers globally. 

27 November 2019 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, editor