Gina
12/12/2023 9:24:52 AM
4 mins read
Independent Scotch Whisky distillers, blenders, and bottlers, Douglas Laing & Co reveal new Limited Releases today from their Island Malt Rock Island and their Exceptional Single Cask range.
In commemoration of the Chinese Year of the Dragon, namely the Wood Dragon in 2024, a Cask Strength edition of Rock Island, finished in fiercely charred ‘Crocodile Casks’ is announced.
Emma Reid, Rock Island’s Brand Manager commented:
“The Rock Island brand showcases the finest qualities of our most celebrated whisky-producing islands. The intricate flavors found across Scotland's islands are unparalleled, marrying seamlessly to craft a subtly peated style that is accessible and enjoyable for both novices and connoisseurs alike. This edition celebrates charring – the process when casks are met with a flame to open the grain of the wood, therefore enabling the spirit to extract a greater depth of flavour.”
The original Rock Island Malt Scotch Whisky is a marriage of Single Cask Single Malts distilled only on Scotland’s Whisky islands. The resulting spirit boasts a complex balance of maritime flavours, with waves of sweet, salty, smoky, and earthy notes and accordingly has been decorated with several high-profile industry awards over the years, including double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Packaged in a unique crocodile skin premium tube, with artwork from renowned Asian designer and tattoo-artist, Milkabean.
RRP: £55.00 / 65.00 EUR
Tasting Notes:
Nose
Experience ashy bonfire embers, grilled pineapple and soft peat smoke on the nose.
Palate
Anticipate waves of sea-salt, caramelised sugar and BBQ'd banana.
Finish
The finish has remnants of smoke with brown sugar, coconut and salted caramel.
ABOUT ROCK ISLAND
Instagram: @rockisland_whisky
Facebook: /dlrockisland
Rock Island joined Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts range in 2015, offering consumers the opportunity to taste the ultimate distillation of Scotland’s Whisky Islands, in one delicious glass. The multi award-winning Small Batch Scotch is a marriage of Single Cask Single Malts from Orkney, Arran, Jura, and Islay. The truly unique spirit is celebrated for its beautifully complex flavour profile. The sweet, salty, smoky, and earthy notes earn this maritime Malt the reputation of being the ultimate dram to pair with seafood. Rock Island is offered at high alcohol strength and always without colouring or chill-filtration. Since 2015, the core range has grown to encompass a 10-year-old and Sherry Edition offering for specialist retail, plus occasional limited releases.
Exceptional Single Cask Releases
Douglas Laing’s Exceptional Single Cask range is also celebrating the Year of the Dragon with the release of three new Limited-Edition bottlings, consisting of an Old Particular Craigellachie 10 Years Old, an XOP Bunnahabhain 35 Years Old and an XOP Carsebridge 46 Years Old.
Each bottling has been distilled in the previous ‘Year of the Dragon’ and bottled to commemorate the Year of the Wood Dragon.
The intricate and beautiful illustration seen on the label, celebrating the Year of the Wood Dragon was also proudly created by designer and tattoo-artist, Milkabean.
ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.
Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.
The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.
The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill-filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing's industry reputation and many awards is testament to this ethos.
Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).
Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old Particular, Xtra Old Particular and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.
