The rise of independent Scotch whisky bottlers 5th March, 2021 by Tom Bruce-Gardyne
They may be anathema to Scotch producers when demand for single malts is high, but independent bottlers have proven themselves to be a dynamic force for good.
Popular choice: Big Peat
Rupert Patrick has no doubt about the positive contribution independent bottlers bring to Scotch whisky. As CEO of James Eadie, which sells an eclectic mix of single cask bottlings and its Trademark X blend, he says: “From an industry point of view they bring excitement, buzz and noise around interesting single malts that the big guys just can’t create.” Having spent years working for Beam Suntory and Diageo before founding James Eadie in 2014, he knows what he’s talking about. Not that there is much awareness of independent bottlers in the corporate giants. “When I was selling Laphroaig at Beam, it just didn’t feature,” says Patrick, who believes the indies and the big distillers “live side by side
The big interview: Cara Laing 3rd March, 2021 by Melita Kiely
As director of whisky and part of the third generation of family-owned Douglas Laing & Co, Cara Laing has a close affinity with the brand. She tells us how the pursuit of a career in vodka led her home to whisky and plans for Strathearn Distillery.
Cara Laing, director of whisky at Douglas Laing This feature was originally published in the December 2020 issue of The Spirits Business magazine.
“I was given my first Port Ellen in a Hot Toddy aged about nine, and I thought it was the most disgusting stuff, and I didn’t really understand how it paid for holidays and nice things in life,” recalls Cara Laing. It’s a lot to ask of a nine‐year‐old to appreciate the nuances of a brand as prestigious as Port Ellen, even one who is part of the third generation of family‐ owned whisky bottler Douglas Laing & Co.
Scallywag whisky and chocolate pairing at heart of new campaign Douglas Laing is hoping to tempt drinkers to try the pairing of whisky and chocolate with a Valentine s Day campaign for its Scallywag whisky. The multi-channel marketing campaign aims to encourage experimentation among whisky drinkers, with a series of lifestyle images, a Valentine s cocktail recipe and a digital campaign launching across Scallywag Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky s top 10 markets. Independent firm Douglas Laing said it intended to invest heavily to target content through Instagram advertising, display media and email marketing. Cara Laing, director of marketing in her family business, said: We’ve invested heavily in the Scallywag and chocolate pairing at both consumer and trade level in recent years. The consistent feedback on how perfectly the rich, sherry and fruity profile of Scallywag enhances the decadent flavours and texture of chocolate is resoundingly positive, and we’re excited to i
Scots wha hae: three great whiskies for Burns Night
It’s the Scottish bard’s brithday tomorrow, so raise a dram to the man with one of these fine whiskies
Golden drop: get into the spirit of Burns Night with a single malt. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo
Golden drop: get into the spirit of Burns Night with a single malt. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo
Sun 24 Jan 2021 01.00 EST
Douglas Laing Timorous Beastie Highland Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (£40, Waitrose) Is it possible to address a haggis via zoom? I guess a few of us are going to find out tomorrow night – and there’s no reason, with all the experience of socially distanced virtual celebrations that we’ve accumulated over the past year, that Burns Night 2021 can’t provide its usual burst of cosy wintry revelry. The whisky’s the thing, and, with apologies to the many superb distillers of Japan, Canada, Sweden, Wales et al, it really does have to be Scotch. Where to start? With its reference to Burn’s most famous
It’s interesting to see the whisky market change as independent bottlers known for their single casks and small-batch blends are starting to show more focus on their own blends. We see this with Douglas Laing building up their Remarkable Regionable Malts. Wemyss also recently revamped their core range. I guess this really shows that huge increase of demand for whisky and the anticipation for even more demand in the near future.
Here I am again, featuring a blended malt range. Jason has stated that we needed more reviews featuring Berry Bros. & Rudd (BBR). The holiday break makes this a good time for me to review the not-so-new Classic Range from BBR. This range was released in March 2018, so time flies. It seems like they’ve been busy with having a standard range of spirits as they also came out with some gins and rum.