Sallywag (46%, Douglas Laing, 2018)

• Category: Blended malt scotch whisky
• Origin: undisclosed Speysides including Mortlach, Macallan and Glenrothes
• Bottling: Douglas Laing
• ABV: 46%
• Cost: £37.84

What they say

Scallywag is a small batch bottling created using only the finest Speyside Malts including, amongst others, spirit distilled at Mortlach, Macallan and Glenrothes Distilleries. Bottled at 46% alcohol strength and proudly non chill-filtered, Scallywag embodies all that is Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky – beautifully sherried, richly spiced and truly charming. Spanish sherry butts care for this spirit as it matures, naturally imparting the distinctly dark, rich colour. Inspired by a long line of Douglas Laing family Fox Terriers, the Scallywag name and endearing canine character are most fitting for this richly spiced and deliciously sweet Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky.

Official tasting notes:

• NOSE: Rich spices and delicious vanilla.
• PALATE: Layer on layer of sweet stewed fruit, Christmas pudding and dark chocolate infused with nutmeg and cinnamon.
• FINISH: A burst of zesty orange with sweet tobacco, cocoa and fruit cake.

What I say

Door #18 of the Drinks by the dram Scotch Whisky Advent Calendar.

Following on from Douglas Laing’s Islay blend Big Peat, Scallywag was launched in November 2013 when I took part in an online launch tasting. These two were later joined by several others to make up the Remarkable Regional Malts range of blended malt whiskies representing various regions of Scotland.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Antique gold (10/20), numerous medium-fine legs and medium tears.
• Nose: Sweet, honeyed mixed fruits, apple, pear, orange, peach, syrupy sweet, redcurrant, some light sherried fruits and vanilla, a little cloying.
• Taste: Medium-full bodied, oily and buttery, mixed fruits, apple, pear, peach a little raisin, apple strudel, milk chocolate, spiced fruit cake, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper spices.
• Finish: Medium-long, chocolate orange, cinnamon spice, quite sharp and woody.

Overall

More fuller flavoured than I remember and much more complex too. Still quite fruity in nature and just a little more spice and wood than I prefer but a decent blended malt nonetheless. I guess my reservation lies in the surreptitious use of sherry casks in this blend which perhaps represents the dichotomy of Speysides’ output today but I don’t feel is indicative of the regions flavour profile in general.

Score 78/100

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