Douglas Laing launches The Epicurean

Douglas Laing & Co has added a Lowland expression to its Remarkable Regional Malts collection, called The Epicurean Blended Malt Scotch Whisky.

The Epicurean is a marriage of Lowland malts that brings together “the best that the East and the West of Scotland have to offer”.

The nose is said to be barley-rich, citric, floral and herbal, with a “mouth-coatingly sweet palate” of crunched sugar, burnt citrus, mixed spices, thyme, peaches and hard candy and a “gristy style” finish with almonds, cut grass and burnt sugar.

Fred Laing, managing director and second generation in the family business, said: “Back in 1930s Glasgow, The Epicurean, as everyone knew him, was the life and soul of any party. Wherever he popped in for a dram, you’d find him surrounded by a circle of admirers, regaling them with captivating tales of derring-do, of chance encounters in foreign climes and of the fine food and drink he feasted upon his travels.

“Our new expression is in honour of that roguish character who never fails to deliver charm, charisma and just a little bit of cheek. Any likeness to Douglas Laing’s managing director is purely coincidental!

“The Epicurean, our Lowland “Vatted” Malt joins Timorous Beastie from the Highlands, Scallywag from Speyside, Rock Oyster from the Islands and Big Peat from Islay to complete our Remarkable Regional Malts collection.”

The expression is packaged in a gift tube featuring The Epicurean himself along with a cocktail shaker, crystal decanter and barley husk illustrations.

The Epicurean is non chill filtered and bottled at 46.2% abv. It is available from specialist whisky stores and DouglasLaing.com, and launches with a competition to win one of four limited edition gold bottles on Facebook.