Hunter Laing founder dies
Stewart Hunter Laing, founder of Scotch whisky company Hunter Laing & Co, has died at the age of 79.
Laing died on Wednesday night (8 April), peacefully, surrounded by his family.
The official statement published on LinkedIn stated: “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our founder, Stewart Hunter Laing… He bore the health difficulties of his latter years with characteristic stoicism and good humour, drawing comfort from those closest to him.
“Until the end, he took an interest in his business, receiving regular updates and offering advice. His interest in football, particularly a lifelong support of Queen’s Park, provided a welcome distraction… He will be forever missed.”
Born in 1946, Laing dedicated more than 60 years to the Scotch whisky industry.
He began his journey with an apprenticeship at Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay, followed by commercial training at Ballantine’s.
The majority of his career was spent at Douglas Laing & Co, a blending and bottling company founded by his father, Fred Senior.
While raising a young family with his wife, Yvonne, he worked alongside his father and brother, Fred, to manage the company, selling blended whisky worldwide before shifting his focus to single casks at the turn of the millennium.
In 2013, Laing established an independent bottling company, Hunter Laing & Co, with his sons.
Laing achieved his long-time dream by establishing Islay’s ninth single malt distillery, Ardnahoe, which began operations in 2018.
He was honoured as a Keeper of the Quaich and later inducted as a Master in 2022. Additionally, Laing served as a Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Distillers.
One of the final activities of his career took place on 10 May 2024, when he spent the day in Edinburgh signing bottles of his own whisky, Ardnahoe Inaugural Release.
Hunter Laing & Co’s portfolio includes several whiskies, including Scarabus Islay single malt, as well as independent labels such as Old & Rare, Old Malt Cask, The First Editions, and The Sovereign.
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