Douglas Laing launches The Gauldrons

by Michael J Ritchie

Independent Scotch bottler Douglas Laing & Co has added a Campbeltown malt to its Remarkable Regional Malt series, called The Gauldrons.

The Gauldrons, which represents the sixth region in the Regional Malt range, takes its name from the "dark sandy coves" in Campbeltown. According to legend, it was in this spot that Robert the Bruce, who was King of Scotland from 1306-1329, saw a spider attempt to build a web over and over again and was inspired to continue fighting. The story is represented on the packaging, which features an intricate spider's web. In keeping with Douglas Laing tradition, the 'vatted' malt is produced in small batches and without colouring or chill filtration. According to the company, each batch will be numbered so future bottlings can be compared to earlier ones to see how they develop in the casks over time. "The Gauldrons has seen us carefully marry together some of our best, and indeed rarest, casks of Campbeltown single malt," said Fred Laing, managing director of Douglas Laing. "The resulting spirit is a unique combination of salt and sweet – the archetypal maritime tang balanced perfectly by a sugary, cereal character." It is described as having a "dry saltiness with sweet cereal and a late hint of gentle peat smoke." On the palate, it opens with "beachy and maritime" flavours, with a finish of "puffs of smoke and rock pools with a dark sugar sweetness." Bottled at 46.2% abv, The Gauldrons is available from select specialist retailers at an RRP of £50. Last month, Douglas Laing concluded its blended Scotch whisky range Yula, with the launch of a 22-year-old limited-edition bottling.