Whisky Picnic Bar in Taiwan sent me some recent samples of bottlings they did with Douglas Laing. Three peated whiskies (just like last time) from different regions in Scotland. All of them are bottled in the Old Particular series.
Arran Peated 9 yo 2014 (57,8%, Douglas Laing ‘Old Particular’ for Whisky Picnic Bar 2024, ex-bourbon barrel, 255 btl.)
Nose: pinewood and minty freshness against bacon and herbal smoke, rather deep, with a subtle rubbery edge. Lemon zest and whiffs of sea spray. Then hay, sweet vanilla and a hints of charred pineapple underneath.
Mouth: a slightly sweet onset (bananas and barley sugar) but quickly moving towards raw wood smoke again. Bonfires, some acrid herbs and plenty of seaweed. Plenty of charcoal and soot, along with ginger, burnt toast with honey, and charred lemons. Some coffee beans towards the end.
Finish: long and sooty, on charred oak, hay, black peppercorns and a little gunpowder.
A deeply sooty, wintery Arran. Very pleasant. That said it feels a little sterile – perfectly made but not unique per se.
Rock Island’s Finest 16 yo 2008 (62%, Douglas Laing ‘Old Particular’ for Whisky Picnic Bar / Yimeng Bar 2024, refill hogshead, 290 btl.)
Nose: more vegetal and petrolic smoke, wet ropes, some sheep wool and earthy barley. A maritime salty tang and mineral salts. Later lemon peels and hints of vanilla. Then back to gherkins and a couple of olives.
Mouth: more lemons, with some grassy notes, porridge and vegetal smoke again. A rather mild peatiness. Mustardy notes, a little aniseed and seaweed. Then grapefruit, gooseberries and nice hints of smoked olive oil. In the end also hints of a dirty Martini.
Finish: quite long, on herbal notes, ashes and liquorice, even a hint of carbolic soap.
Much more ideosyncratic than the Arran, for sure, but you’ll have to accept a certain dirty side. Probably Ledaig, this one. Score: 86/100
Big Peat’s Finest 13 yo 2010 (62%, Douglas Laing ‘Old Particular’ for Whisky Picnic Bar etc. 2024, refill butt, 611 btl.)
Nose: a classic profile on warm ashes, red apples and lemons, with camphor and roasted hazelnuts. Plenty of medicinal notes, seaweed, smoked citrus and simply a sense of Islay mud. Some meadow herbs.
Mouth: sooty smoke, a lot of earthy soil and rooty notes. Sharp salt. Gentian, seaweed, walnuts and some hints of red berries. Salted liquorice and olives too. Again a slight carbolic touch. Great balance.
Finish: long, very ashy, with seaweed and gentian.
In line with the officials, this is a lovely Laphroaig. The sherry is noticeable but always in second row. Few words needed for such a whisky. Score: 89/100