Hunter Laing expands Scarabus whisky series

Scotch whisky bottler Hunter Laing & Co has added two new expressions to its Scarabus Islay single malt range.

Scarabus whisky’s core flavour profile features Islay peat smoke

Scarabus 10 Year Old and Scarabus Batch Strength join the inaugural Scarabus bottling, Scarabus Specially Selected, in the brand’s range. The debut release was unveiled in May last year.

Stewart Laing, managing director, said: “Following the success of the brand’s launch at Fèis Ìle 2019, it’s very exciting to add two brand new expressions to the range. Scarabus is a brand which we are incredibly proud of, and to see Scarabus grow and develop like this is really wonderful.”

Scarabus 10 Year Old (46% ABV) has the brand’s distinct flavour profile of ‘sweet Islay peat smoke, but with extra complexity’. The expression was aged for a minimum of 10 years in refill, ex-Bourbon and virgin American oak casks.

Meanwhile, Scarabus Batch Strength is bottled at 57% ABV and made from a small selection of Scarabus single malt casks. The resulting liquid features the brand’s signature sweet, peaty profile, followed by a ‘lingering’ finish.

Scarabus, which is an old Nordic word for ‘rocky place’, is named after a ‘mystical area’ on the Scottish island of Islay.

Scott Laing, business development director, said: “It’s always exciting when a new Islay expression launches and we are particularly proud of our Scarabus brand.

“The flavour is unmistakable, the Islay peat, smoke and sea salt on the nose, followed by warming leather notes and a delightful vanilla sweetness in the mouth, leads to a rich, lingering finish, culminating all the elements which Islay whisky enthusiasts adore.”

Both expressions are available to buy from the Ardnahoe Distillery on Islay and online. The 10-year-old bottling is priced at £45 (US$60) per 700ml, while Scarabus Batch Strength has an RRP of £49 (US$65) per 700ml.