Red wine and cognac casks give these two whiskies a surprising winter twist

Saturday, 26 September 2026 at 14:01

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Autumn has only just begun, but Douglas Laing is already fully geared up for winter. The Scottish independent bottler has released two new wintry whiskies. Both Big Peat and Scallywag have received special winter editions, with French wine and cognac casks taking center stage this time.

Douglas Laing has expanded its Remarkable Regional Malts range with two limited releases that promise to keep you warm through the coldest days of the year. The famous Islay fisherman Big Peat and the faithful fox terrier Scallywag have both donned their winter coats.

Big Peat heads into winter with a 10-year-old whisky partially matured in French red wine casks, while Scallywag opts for an extended finish in cognac casks. The result is two distinctly different whiskies. Here’s what to expect from each bottle.

What is the Big Peat 10 Years Old Winter Edition whisky?

For this Big Peat Winter Edition, the Scottish bottler and whisky maker has pulled something special out of the hat. The renowned smoky Islay whisky is 10 years old and spent the final 16 months of maturation in carefully selected French red wine casks.

That gives the familiar trio of peat smoke, sea salt, and malt a fruity twist. The red wine casks add layers of dark forest fruits, black cherries, and plums to the whisky’s character, while that signature Islay smoke remains clearly in play.

The official tasting notes for the Big Peat 10 Years Old Winter Edition are:

Nose: Maritime peat smoke, sweet malt, dark forest fruits, warming spices, and oak.
Palate: Vanilla, butterscotch, and salted caramel, followed by black cherries, ripe plums, dark chocolate, and a subtle nutty note.
Finish: Long and rich, with wintry baking spices and lingering dry peat smoke.

The whisky is bottled at 48% alcohol by volume (ABV).

What is the Scallywag Winter Edition whisky?

Douglas Laing’s beloved fox terrier is ready for the colder months too. For the new Scallywag Winter Edition, the bottler opted for a prolonged finish in carefully selected French cognac casks.

Scallywag is typically known for its rich Speyside character with influence from Spanish sherry casks. For this seasonal release, cognac cask influence joins the mix.

According to Douglas Laing, the result is a plush whisky brimming with dark fruit, chocolate, and warming spices—giving the trusty Scallywag an extra wintry edge.

The official tasting notes for the Scallywag Winter Edition are:

Nose: Honeyed malt and spice, followed by figs, dates, orange marmalade, and vanilla fudge.
Palate: Rich and syrupy, with raisins, plum compote, and black cherries, followed by baking spices and chocolate-coated orange.
Finish: Long-lasting, with dried fruits, cocoa powder, warming ginger, and cinnamon.

The Scallywag Winter Edition is bottled at 54.2% ABV.

Whisky spotlight from Whisky Exchange	Price
Octomore 17.1	144 pounds
Octomore 17.2	159 pounds
Octomore 17.3	201 pounds

Where can you buy the new Big Peat and Scallywag Winter Editions, and how much do they cost?

Both wintry whiskies are now available through Douglas Laing’s official webshop. The Big Peat 10 Years Old Winter Edition is priced at £65. The Scallywag Winter Edition costs £60.

FAQ

What’s special about the Big Peat 10 Years Old Winter Edition?
The whisky is 10 years old and spent its final 16 months in French red wine casks, bringing extra fruity layers to the smoky Islay profile.
Which casks were used to finish the Scallywag Winter Edition?
The new Scallywag enjoyed an extended finish in carefully selected French cognac casks.
What are the alcohol strengths of the two winter editions?
Big Peat 10 Years Old Winter Edition is 48% ABV, and Scallywag Winter Edition is bottled at 54.2% ABV.