Port Ellen 1979 (Bottled 2020) Douglas Laing's XOP The Black Series / 49.6%/ 0.7l
- Fred Laing, who parted ways with his brother and business partner Stewart the year before, splitting portfolio of Douglas Laing & Co, introduced the XOP range in 2014.
Product description
Fred Laing's XOP series debuted in 2014, a dozen or so months after the division of Douglas Laing & Co.'s assets between the two Laing brothers. XOP stands for Xtra Old Particular and refers to the best single malt and single grain casks from the family's stockpiles. In the summer of 2019, the XOP Black Series debuted, intended for the most unique. Such is undoubtedly the Port Ellen 1979 Vintage presented here, a whisky aged in a refilled butt cask (no. DL 13800) for 40 years and bottled at cask strength (49.6% abv) and without chill filtration in an edition of 299 bottles. Each of them bears the signature of Fred and Cary Laing, the son and granddaughter of the founder of Douglas Laing & Co. and the current owners of the company. (Producer's tasting note.)
Aroma : lightly burnt yeast bun to start, then slightly peaty barley malt and brown sugar.
Palate : An eclectic mix of fudge, spices and chewed leather, subtle notes of peat and brine, a touch of ash and coal dust.
Finish: amplifies the earlier subtleties, with particular emphasis on spicy spices, smoke and iodine, accompanied by the captivating charm of phenol.