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Douglas Laing

Douglas Laing is a Glasgow-based, independent bottler of Scotch whisky. They release single cask and small batch malts under labels like Provenance, Old Particular and Private Barrel as well as creating blends for the Remarkable Regional Malts range. The Provenance range focuses on the company’s younger stocks and presents the spirit in as natural a way as possible. In this review, I’ll be looking at an 8-year-old, single cask Bowmore, from the Isle of Islay.

Douglas Laing was founded in 1948. The firm has passed through three generations of the same family and has grown, over the years, to become one of the most respected in the world of Scotch whisky. The company has even become a distiller in its own right, following the acquisition of Strathearn Distillery.

In a very crowded market, few independent bottlers have access to Bowmore casks. That Douglas Laing can get their hands on one, is a testament to their long years of building relationships with distillers and brokers.

Cask management is crucial to the success of any bottler and Douglas Laing is no different. As well as buying casks of mature spirit, the company has filling agreements, that allow them to fill their own casks with new make spirit direct from the distilleries. It’s an ideal situation that gives them complete control over the development of the whisky as it matures.

Knowing when to bottle is, of course, key but as much as any bottler will talk of emptying the cask at just the right moment, decisions still have to be made regarding the whisky’s position on the market. At Douglas Laing, some casks will be aged for many years and placed in the premium Old Particular or X.O.P. ranges. Others will be emptied and used for the Provenance series. Others still, will go into blends like Big Peat and Scallywag.

Single cask Bowmore malts don’t come along too often and when they do, they tend to carry a hefty price. It’s an unfortunate scenario because the distillery’s core range doesn’t necessarily showcase the spirit at its best and more indie bottlings would be very welcome. Around a month ago, I was arranging a dram lineup for a special online tasting called The Story of Islay. This was a look through the creation of Islay’s distilleries in chronological order and, as the oldest of them all, Bowmore was an essential component in the evening. However, I was worried about finding a bottle that was a) within budget and b) bottled at higher strength. Imagine my surprise (and delight), when I found this Douglas Laing expression!

Provenance Bowmore Review

This is a single cask Bowmore, aged for 8 years in a refill barrel. It’s bottled at 46% without chill filtering or artificial colouring.

Tasting notes: The nose has a freshness to it – like a blowy day on a stony beach. Lots of sea spray, shells and seaweed. Coal-fired engines and oily smoke. Grist. Hard caramels. There’s also a fruity side to it with pineapple and lemon. The palate follows a similar pattern, though the smoke has retreated. It’s like distant chimney smoke. There are some serious coastal vibes though, it’s salty and briny with black pepper, orange peel, and some sweetness – like a generous teaspoon of runny honey.

Thoughts: An enjoyable, everyday sipper of an Islay malt. Bowmore comes across so well when it’s presented like this. At lower strength and smothered in sherry, you lose a lot of the spirit’s character but here, the coastal, Islay DNA shines through proudly alongside the tropical fruits and the unmistakable peat smoke. Milder than other Islays, yes, but for me, no less enjoyable.

Price: £68. Ideally, you’d like to pay less for an 8-year-old malt but try finding a cheaper Bowmore single cask. A good wee buy.

For more about Douglas Laing visit here

For more about Bowmore visit here

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