Scallywag The Chocolate Edition 2024 Review: Liquid Chocolate with an ABV

Scallywag is part of the Remarkable Regional Malts from independent bottler Douglas Laing of Glasgow. The whiskies in the Remarkable Regional Malts range are crafted from a mix of single malts from various distilleries, each emblematic of a specific Scottish region. Remarkable Regional Malts pay tribute to Scotland’s diverse whisky heartlands: Speyside, Highlands, Lowlands, and Islay, so enthusiasts can explore the signature flavors and styles of each region in a single bottle.

Although Douglas Laing has been around for over seventy-five years, they’ve surprised fans this time with a special release: Scallywag The Chocolate Edition. Scallywag whiskies showcase distinctive Speyside malt character. The terrier on the label was inspired by the Laing family’s beloved dogs, a mischievous breed reflected in the name Scallywag, meaning rascal.

The 2024 Chocolate Edition whisks you away on an unforgettable journey where Speyside’s hallmark character is seductively intertwined with Portugal’s charming fortified wine: port.

This Scallywag The Chocolate 2024 deserves to be called a surprise. First off, it arrived much earlier than its six predecessors, all of which launched around World Chocolate Day in June. Perhaps thanks to its intense chocolate character, this one feels like the ultimate Mother’s Day tip.

The bottle comes wrapped in a paper bag listing all the details that also appear on the bottle itself. The unwrapping gets even more exciting thanks to a fun promotion tied to this release. Hidden across the Netherlands are Golden Tickets and a Golden Bone, your chance to win fantastic prizes. The grand prize is a trip to Edinburgh.

Scallywag The Chocolate Edition isn’t just any bottle. It’s a strikingly dark one, nodding to classic port bottles. Scallywag whiskies are a blend of mature Speyside malts aged predominantly in Spanish sherry casks, with a focus on the most cocoa-forward PX and Oloroso wood. This edition is then interlaced with the luxurious influence of fine port casks. The timing, the look, and the flavor of this Chocolate Edition have clearly been carefully considered.

The real thrill, of course, is how the whisky tastes. The nose wraps you in a sweet blanket of warm, spicy cocoa, with a distant wisp of warm cherries just lifted from the stove as you start a batch of jam. The temptation to take that first sip is strong. We linger a moment longer on the aromas, and then finally give in. First sip taken.

This Scallywag bounds across your palate like an eager pup, creamy dark chocolate, a plump raisin, a hint of bay, and a tickle of pepper. The finish is one to savor: medium-length notes of dried fruit with a touch of chocolatey liquorice at the end. What a lovely whisky, beautifully balanced, rich in flavor, and every bit as seductive as dark chocolate.

The experience truly comes into its own with a piece of chocolate on the side. This whisky is especially suited to an afternoon pour in the spring sunshine. The uisge beatha is nicely balanced, richly flavored, and simply a delightful chocolate temptation.

This Scallywag The Chocolate 2024 is a complete experience. From the moment you open the package to the last sip, it gives chocolate a whole new dimension in whisky. With this edition, Douglas Laing has released a delectably chocolatey whisky that’s sure to set many a (mother’s) heart racing.

+ Chocolate in a bottle

+ A luxury feel

+ Silky tones in the smell and the taste

- Always a limited edition

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