Douglas Laing marries luxury, flavour and finesse in a distinctive new Scallywag whisky

The Scottish independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co. is unveiling a new premium expression within its popular Scallywag range. The beloved pup now gets a whisky with impressive age and a stunning finish. Here’s everything you need to know about Scallywag 18 Year Old.

Douglas Laing has lifted the lid on a brand-new Scallywag bottling. This time it’s not a no-age-statement release, but an edition proudly bearing a fine age of no less than 18 years. The whisky is notably rich in flavor and has enjoyed a beautiful maturation.

At 18 years old, Scallywag reaches a milestone in the series, according to the bottler, making the whisky from the famous little dog even more distinctive. This blended malt matured in traditional oak casks. In its final years, it was laid to rest in carefully selected Pedro Ximénez sherry casks from Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain.

These PX casks are renowned for their intense sweetness and deep flavor development. In Scallywag’s case, the extended finish amplifies the signature sherry-forward style of this Speyside malt blend. Douglas Laing describes it as a whisky that is both complex and elegant, with a distinctly rich texture.

Thanks to its lengthy maturation, Scallywag 18 Year Old has developed real depth of character while retaining its hallmark Speyside personality. The flavor profile of this blended malt is captured in detailed tasting notes.

Expect decadent aromas of dark chocolate truffles, spiced orange peel, and roasted walnuts on the nose. As it opens up in the glass, notes of treacle toffee and juicy black cherries emerge, followed by a subtle hint of cinnamon.

On the palate, the whisky delivers a full, velvety mouthfeel with flavors of orange peel, walnuts, toffee, and black cherries. There’s also a warming touch of cinnamon and layers of rich chocolate. The finish lingers with notes of oaky spice, espresso, and dried figs.

The whisky is bottled at 46% alcohol by volume (ABV) in a very limited release.

With just 2,610 bottles worldwide, Scallywag 18 Year Old is decidedly limited. Pricing is around £85 on Douglas Laing’s website. The bottling will appear at selected whisky specialists and premium retailers around the globe.