Douglas Laing & Co

Fred Douglas Laing founded the company in Glasgow in 1948, establishing a fillings programme — purchasing and maturing casks from distilleries across Scotland — that would form the foundation of the business. The company has remained wholly family-owned across three generations, a rarity in an industry marked by consolidation.

The Remarkable Regional Malts portfolio was developed to give each Scottish whisky region a flagship blended malt identity. Big Peat launched first, celebrating Islay's smoky character; Scallywag followed in 2013 as the Speyside entry; Timorous Beastie (named after Robert Burns' poem, with a mouse on the label) arrived in 2014 as the Highland expression; Rock Island represented the Islands; and The Epicurean — launched in 2016 at 46% — completed the set as the Lowland expression. Each brand has built a loyal following.

The Old Particular single cask series — natural strength, unchillfiltered, bottled at cask strength from individual barrels — has become a benchmark for the independent bottling sector, prized for its consistency and transparency.

In 2019, Douglas Laing acquired Strathearn Distillery in Methven, Perthshire, marking the company's evolution into distillery ownership. Investment followed in larger stills and new equipment. In 2022 the first Strathearn single malt under Douglas Laing's ownership was released under the name "The Heart."

As an independent bottler, Douglas Laing purchases and matures casks from distilleries across Scotland. Their blending team selects whiskies from multiple distilleries to create the Remarkable Regional Malts blended malts and curates individual barrels for the Old Particular single cask series. The company is headquartered in Glasgow, where blending and bottling operations are managed. Strathearn Distillery (Methven, Perthshire) handles distillation of new make spirit.

As an independent bottler, the house style varies by range:

• Big Peat (Islay blended malt, 46% ABV) — Heavily peated, tarry, and smoky, using malts from Ardbeg, Port Ellen, Bowmore, and Caol Ila; winner of Scottish Vatted Malt of the Year and Blended Scotch Malt of the Year at the World Whiskies Awards 2010
• Scallywag (Speyside blended malt) — Rich dark fruits, chocolate, and spice from Spanish Sherry casks; fox terrier imagery on packaging
• Timorous Beastie (Highland blended malt) — Big vanilla, honey, barley, and spice; mouse on label, named after Burns' poem
• Rock Island (Islands blended malt) — Maritime, briny, and lightly peated
• The Epicurean (Lowland blended malt, 46% ABV) — Light, delicate, and floral; first released 2016
• Old Particular — Natural strength, unchillfiltered, single cask from individual distilleries

No public tours at Douglas Laing's Glasgow headquarters. Strathearn Distillery (owned by Douglas Laing) is located separately in Methven, Perthshire, and may offer visitor access. Online shop at douglaslaing.com with free UK delivery on orders over £120.