Hunter Laing

1979 Girvan 38 Years (IB: Hunter Laing) The First Edition, Single Grain, South Ayrshire, 50.3% 70cl

The First Editions range of single barrel expressions is always released at natural cask strength, and of course without colouring or chill filtration.

As the name may suggest, each cask is carefully selected to evoke the qualities of a rare literary volume – those of character and collectability. Colour-coding on the labels denotes the particular regions the whiskies themselves are from and each bottle is individually numbered and presented in a gift tube. A “First Editions” bottling without doubt makes a valuable addition to anyone’s whisky library.

38 year old single grain from Girvan, matured in a single refill hogshead cask. It was distilled in 1979.

Nose: Resinous pine, treacle tart, sponge cake and lime peel.

Palate: Creamy vanilla and peach arrive first, followed shortly by peppercorn and cinnamon.

Finish: Mature oak, strawberry boiled sweets, mint.

1990 Port Dundas 27 Years (IB: Hunter Laing) The Sovereign, Single Grain, Glasgow, 51.5% 70cl

Long the privileged secret of Master Blenders and canny warehousemen throughout the whisky industry, well-aged Single Grain Scotch Whiskies have in recent years been growing in appreciation and popularity amongst connoisseurs. With a history of producing luxury blended whiskies dating back many years, the Directors of Hunter Laing & Co. understand and appreciate grain whiskies and are pleased to be guarding excellent stockholdings of certain such spirits between 25 and 50 years of age. Hunter Laing’s Sovereign range of single cask single grain whiskies are bottled at cask strength and without chill filtration or artificial colouring. Any one of these rare Sovereign bottlings represents an opportunity to enjoy a whisky experience that is both intense and uncommon.

Rich, extra-fruity single-grain whisky from the now-closed Port Dundas distillery. It was bottled by Hunter Laing after maturing for 27 years, developing sweet notes of toffee popcorn, tropical fruit, toasty oak and a sprinkling of black pepper

1990 Strathclyde, 26 Years (IB: Hunter Laing) The Sovereign, Single Grain, Glasgow, 54.5% 70cl

Long the privileged secret of Master Blenders and canny warehousemen throughout the whisky industry, well-aged Single Grain Scotch Whiskies have in recent years been growing in appreciation and popularity amongst connoisseurs. With a history of producing luxury blended whiskies dating back many years, the Directors of Hunter Laing & Co. understand and appreciate grain whiskies and are pleased to be guarding excellent stockholdings of certain such spirits between 25 and 50 years of age. Hunter Laing’s Sovereign range of single cask single grain whiskies are bottled at cask strength and without chill filtration or artificial colouring. Any one of these rare Sovereign bottlings represents an opportunity to enjoy a whisky experience that is both intense and uncommon.

Single cask single grain from Strathclyde! This was distilled back in August 1990 and set aside to age in a refill barrel until October 2016, when Hunter Laing bottled it up from join their Sovereign range (which is already bursting at the seams with great indie single grain bottlings). 241 bottles were produced.

Nose: Demerara sugar, ripe banana, cherries and some white pepper.

Palate: Slight vegetal, though still packed with classic grain sweetness.

Finish: Custard and toffee.

1991 Girvan, 25 Years (IB: Hunter Laing) The Sovereign, Single Grain, South Ayshire, 58.9% 70cl

Long the privileged secret of Master Blenders and canny warehousemen throughout the whisky industry, well-aged Single Grain Scotch Whiskies have in recent years been growing in appreciation and popularity amongst connoisseurs. With a history of producing luxury blended whiskies dating back many years, the Directors of Hunter Laing & Co. understand and appreciate grain whiskies and are pleased to be guarding excellent stockholdings of certain such spirits between 25 and 50 years of age. Hunter Laing’s Sovereign range of single cask single grain whiskies are bottled at cask strength and without chill filtration or artificial colouring. Any one of these rare Sovereign bottlings represents an opportunity to enjoy a whisky experience that is both intense and uncommon.

A single cask bottling of Girvan’s delicious single grain Scotch whisky, aged in a bourbon barrel for 25 years.

Nose: Fragrant floral sweetness arrives first, alongside rounded notes of toffee and chocolate.

Palate: Quite fruity, boasting notes of citrus peels and banana fritters. Layers of icing sugar and new oak.

Finish: Cinnamon, nutmeg and plum.

1996 North British 21 Years (IB: Hunter Laing) The Sovereign, Single Grain, Edinburgh, 54.8% 70cl

Long the privileged secret of Master Blenders and canny warehousemen throughout the whisky industry, well-aged Single Grain Scotch Whiskies have in recent years been growing in appreciation and popularity amongst connoisseurs. With a history of producing luxury blended whiskies dating back many years, the Directors of Hunter Laing & Co. understand and appreciate grain whiskies and are pleased to be guarding excellent stockholdings of certain such spirits between 25 and 50 years of age. Hunter Laing’s Sovereign range of single cask single grain whiskies are bottled at cask strength and without chill filtration or artificial colouring. Any one of these rare Sovereign bottlings represents an opportunity to enjoy a whisky experience that is both intense and uncommon.

1996 Strathmill 21 Years (IB: Hunter Laing) The First Editions, Single Malt, Speyside, 56.2% 70cl

The First Editions range of single barrel expressions is always released at natural cask strength, and of course without colouring or chill filtration.

As the name may suggest, each cask is carefully selected to evoke the qualities of a rare literary volume – those of character and collectability. Colour-coding on the labels denotes the particular regions the whiskies themselves are from and each bottle is individually numbered and presented in a gift tube. A “First Editions” bottling without doubt makes a valuable addition to anyone’s whisky library.

A single cask Strathmill single malt, bottled by Hunter Laing as part of the literature-inspired First Editions range. This was matured in a refill hogshead for 21 years, before being bottled at cask strength.

Nose: Buttered teacake, roasted peanuts and a hint of nectarine.

Palate: Nutty at first (think walnut and pecan), but soon enough you’ll discover sweet notes of banana and peach.

Finish: Drying oak-y spices stick around.

2004 Balmenach 13 Years (IB: Hunter Laing) Old Malt Cask, Speyside, 50%, 70cl

A 13 year old single malt from Balmenach, a distillery that you don’t see an awful lot of single malt from, as much of it goes into blends. However, indie bottlers like the Hunter Laing chaps do sometimes get their hands on casks of their single malt for us to enjoy! This is a 14 year old expression, matured in a refill hogshead. A release of 264 bottles.

Distilled 2004 August
Bottled May 2018

Nose: Rather biscuit-y (think Custard Creams and Hobnobs), with tinned peaches and dried apricots developing.

Palate: More vanilla-rich custard notes. Quite nutty, too.

Finish: Orange pith, almonds and the last hint of vanilla bean.

Overall: A creamy single malt from a distillery we don’t hear enough from.

2004 Fettercairn 13 Years (IB: Hunter Laing) Old Malt Cask, , Highlands, 50% 70cl

Old Malt Cask is unashamedly for connoisseurs of the finest expressions of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. As one of the most established brands in the single cask market, Old Malt Cask is trusted by thousands of Malt Whisky consumers all around the world as the selection which bottles some of the most noteworthy Scotches in the market.

Each month, the Hunter Laing tasting panel reviews the company stocks and, after careful consideration, selects only the casks which are of the highest quality. Whether the whisky was distilled in Speyside or Islay, the Lowlands or the Islands, they all have one thing in common – they have been bottled at exactly the right time to capture the unique characteristics of the cask.

Invariably bottled at 50% strength to maintain drinkability, each new expression is non-chillfiltered to ensure that the personality of each cask remains. Our expert blender also writes notes to guide the consumer through the tasting experience. We don’t have to do much with the whisky – we let it speak for itself.

Old Malt Cask has spent fifteen years as one of the market leaders in the single cask category. As the reputation of Hunter Laing rests on the quality of each release, we aim to ensure that each new bottling delights the consumer as much as the last one.

2004 vintage Fettercairn single malt, which spent a leisurely 13 years in a single refill hogshead. In 2018 this Highlander was awoken from its slumber, when it was bottled by Hunter Laing for the Old Malt Cask series. A limited outturn of 341 bottles.

Nose: Nectarine, toasted nuts, malt, salted butter, pepper spice, apple wood and subtle aromas of cured meat.

Palate: Herbal and tangy, clove, vanilla custard and a hefty helping of cinnamon alongside some rubbery notes, with caramel and black coffee with a spoonful of sugar.

Finish: Toffee, milk chocolate, prune and date sweetness with a touch of pine.

2004 Hunter Laing, The First Editions, Fettercairn, 13 Years, Highlands, 59.7% 70cl

The First Editions range of single barrel expressions is always released at natural cask strength, and of course without colouring or chill filtration.

As the name may suggest, each cask is carefully selected to evoke the qualities of a rare literary volume – those of character and collectability. Colour-coding on the labels denotes the particular regions the whiskies themselves are from and each bottle is individually numbered and presented in a gift tube. A “First Editions” bottling without doubt makes a valuable addition to anyone’s whisky library.

A bottle of Fettercairn single malt, distilled in 2004 and bottled at 59.7% in 2018 by Hunter Laing for the First Editions series. The Highlander spent 13 years maturing in a refill butt. As always with First Editions bottlings, the whisky was bottled at cask strength, and without colouring or chill filtration.

Nose: Fresh grassy notes alongside tart, crisp apple, honeyed malt and toasted wood with a little dried fruit.

Palate: Creamy vanilla and more malt, with a kick of pepper spice followed by fresh fruit and citrus.

Finish: Warming spice on a medium finish.

2006 Hunter Laing Old Malt Cask, Craigellachie, 11 Years, Speyside, (Sherry Cask), 50% 70cl

Old Malt Cask is unashamedly for connoisseurs of the finest expressions of Single Malt Scotch Whisky. As one of the most established brands in the single cask market, Old Malt Cask is trusted by thousands of Malt Whisky consumers all around the world as the selection which bottles some of the most noteworthy Scotches in the market.

Each month, the Hunter Laing tasting panel reviews the company stocks and, after careful consideration, selects only the casks which are of the highest quality. Whether the whisky was distilled in Speyside or Islay, the Lowlands or the Islands, they all have one thing in common – they have been bottled at exactly the right time to capture the unique characteristics of the cask.

Invariably bottled at 50% strength to maintain drinkability, each new expression is non-chillfiltered to ensure that the personality of each cask remains. Our expert blender also writes notes to guide the consumer through the tasting experience. We don’t have to do much with the whisky – we let it speak for itself.

An indie bottling of 11 year old single malt from the Craigellachie distillery, drawn from a refill butt that was filled in May 2006 and bottled in April 2018. Following maturation, it was bottled for the Old Malt Cask range by Hunter Laing, producing 717 bottles

Nose: Lemon peel, fried banana, soft sawdust and a touch of brown sugar.

Palate: Cadbury Flake, coffee bean, a touch of honey-dipped apple, barley.

Finish: Orange oil, more chocolate, mineral-y dryness.

C.A.C.S.A. 13 Year Old 2004 Venezuelan Rum – Kill Devil (by Hunter Laing) 46%, 70cl

Single cask rum from the C.A.C.S.A distillery in Venezuela, distilled in March 2004 and aged for 13 years. It was independently bottled at 46% by Hunter Laing for the Kill Devil range.

Darsa 9 Year Old 2007 Guatemalan Rum, Kill Devil (by Hunter Laing) 46%, 70cl

A 9 year old rum from the Darsa distillery in Guatemala, distilled in July 2007 and independently bottled by Hunter Laing for the Kill Devil range (which takes its name from a term used on the Caribbean islands to describe distilled spirits in the 17th and 18th century). 322 bottles were produced.

Diamond Distillery 12 Year Old 2004 Guyanese Rum – Kill Devil (by Hunter Laing) 63.1%, 70cl

While a lot of the rum from Hunter Laing’s Kill Devil independent bottling range are presented at 46%, some of them are bottled at full-on cask strength – like this intense 12 year old rum from Guyana’s Diamond distillery! This was distilled in 2004 and matured for a dozen years in a single cask until it was bottled with an small out turn of just 246 bottles.

Diamond Distillery 9 Year Old 2008 Guyanese Rum – Kill Devil (by Hunter Laing) 63.2%, 70cl

Diamond nine-year-old 2008, bottled by Hunter Laing for the Kill Devil series, is a Caribbean golden rum from Guyana. Distilled in a pot still, this was aged for nine years in a sherry cask and bottled in 2017 at 63.2%

Diamond Distillery, 15 Year Old 2001 Guyanese Rum, Kill Devil (by Hunter Laing) 61%, 70cl

Rum from the Diamond distillery in Guyana, independently bottled by Hinter Laing for their Kill Devil range. It was distilled in 2001 and aged in a single cask for 15 years before being bottled at cask strength with an outturn of only 199 bottles.

Travellers Distillery 11 Years Rum Belize, Kill Devil (by Hunter Laing), 46% 70cl

Whilst we are specialists in blended and single malt scotch whiskies, over the years we have been fortunate enough to acquire stocks of aged rums, from places such as Guyana and Jamaica. We are pleased now to present some of these to our customers on the basis, of course, that they meet the same exacting quality standards required for our bottlings of whisky.