Timorous Beastie bares its fangs again with the smoky Phantom Smoke whisky

Tuesday, 22 September 2026 at 12:52

Never miss whisky news, reviews, and new releases again.

Douglas Laing’s little mouse may usually be a touch shy, but there’s nothing timid about this whisky. The new Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke marries the Highlands’ signature sweetness with peat smoke and heavily charred casks. The bottle lands just in time for Halloween.

Timorous Beastie is part of the Remarkable Regional Malts series from Douglas Laing, traditionally representing the Highland side of Scotland. For this new release, the independent bottler has explored a very different facet of the famed Highland mouse: where smoke takes center stage.

What is Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke whisky?

Timorous Beastie is usually celebrated for notes of honey, vanilla, malt, and citrus. Phantom Smoke adds a bold layer of peat and charred oak to the mix.

For this release, Douglas Laing has blended a peated Highland malt with the classic Timorous Beastie profile. The latter spent an extended finishing period in so-called Crocodile Casks. The name refers to the extremely heavy charring on the inside of the barrel. This treatment gives the wood a coarse texture reminiscent of crocodile skin.

The combination of peated whisky and these heavily charred casks reveals a completely different side of Timorous Beastie. Expect not only the familiar Highland sweetness, but also plenty of smoke, spice, and oak.

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

How does Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke taste?

The heavily charred casks and peated whisky are unmistakable in the flavor profile, yet the sweet character that defines Timorous Beastie hasn’t disappeared.

The tasting notes are:

Nose: Smoldering peat smoke with charred oak, sweet malt, and a hint of Highland sweetness.
Palate: Robust peat smoke and singed spices meet charred wood, lifted by a surprising sweetness.
Finish: Long and warming, with lingering smoke, spice, and charred oak.

Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke is bottled at a punchy 54.2% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Where can you buy Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke?

This smoky Highland whisky comes in 70-centiliter bottles. Priced at 74,95 euros, it sits above the regular bottling. It’s available from Douglas Laing and may also be found at select specialist retailers.

FAQ

What is Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke?
Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke is a blended malt whisky from Douglas Laing, representing the Scottish Highlands. This edition combines peated Highland malt with classic Timorous Beastie whisky finished in heavily charred Crocodile Casks.
How much alcohol is in Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke?
The whisky is bottled at 54.2% alcohol by volume (ABV). No coloring is added, and it’s released in 70-centiliter bottles.
What does Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke taste like?
The whisky blends robust peat smoke and charred oak with spice and an unexpected sweetness. The long finish carries lingering smoke, spices, and pronounced notes from the heavily charred cask.