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Glasgow-based Douglas Laing & Co are
independent bottlers and blenders headed by brothers, Fred and
Stewart Laing, who proved the value of nepotism when they
succeeded their father, Fred Douglas who founded the company in
1948.
And, in truth, they’ve not let their Dad down
over the past 25 years in charge. Indeed, they’ve grafted to
uphold the traditions of the family - apart from the sheep
stealing and cattle rustling.
 They have successfully expanded their markets
so that their highly-rated ranges now regularly features blends
up to 25 years old, using the original blend specifications
handed down to them - and written out so they wouldn’t forget
them.
A key feature is their vast stock of
different Malts built up over the last 50 years and it’s been a
pleasing perk, benefit and privilege for the current directors
to nose and taste some of the finest quality samples.
Fred and Stewart, astute as their father was
ground-breaking, got their heads together at one tasting session
and boldly declared: “Some of these malts are too good to
blend.” And so it was in 1998, before they headed off to
celebrate the new Millennium, that their much sought-after OLD
MALT CASK selection was rolled out.
 This is guarded and cherished stock, sold by
allocation. But the brothers, once they’ve stopped looking
longingly at their pride and joy, will cheerfully dig out a
bottle from the corner of a warehouse and happily sell it to
discerning customers with accompanying explanatory booklets and
carefully-worded tasting notes penned by self-styled, in-house
wordsmith, Fred with Stewart checking his spelling.
To them, colouring is wicked (in its
original meaning) and chill filtration techniques make them shiver
at the thought. So without apology, The OLD MALT CASK offerings are
not chill filtered, leaving in each bottle all the oils, fats
and enzymes that combine to give the quality of the nose,
palate, mouth-feel and finish.
The brothers’ passports are rarely in their
desk drawers as they carry out extensive tastings throughout the
year all over the world, always dressed appropriately in the
kilt, not the same one, of course.
They are proud Scots - and the Scottish
attitudes of honesty, courtesy and friendliness is amply
demonstrated as they go about their business at home and abroad
boosting their business and customer satisfaction. |
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