.scallywag - cask strength

The Scallywag, a little rascal of a Fox Terrier from the Laing family, portrayed on the Speyside blended malt from Douglas Laing - part of their Remarkable Region Malts series. A collection of Speyside Malts, including Mortlach, the Macallan and the Glenrothes, matured in a combination of ex-Sherry butts and ex-Bourbon  hogsheads, firt released in November 2013 at 46% abv. In June 2015 (I know, I am a little behind on my notes because of stuff, and things), the company released the first limited release at cask strength, startling the Fox Terrier and knocking off its monocle...

53.6% abv, €50
blended malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: sweet, vanilla pods, spicy, star anise, cinnamon, fruity, apple skins, citrus, orange peel, dried fruit, dried mango slices, dried banana chips, hints of mint, eucalyptus

Palate: sweet, treacle, honey, spicy, cinnamon, a hint of anise, vanilla flavoured pipe tobacco, dark chocolate shavings, citrus, blood oranges

Finish: medium long, dark chocolate, a hint of tobacco, vanilla pods, dried fruit, cranberries, blueberries
Mark: +++++ 

Conclusion: I wasn't very enthusiastic about the original 46% release, but this one tickles my senses on the right spots.

.many thanks to Douglas Laing for sending us this sample

.scallywag - batch #1

46% abv, €45, blended malt, non-chill filtered

Nose: sweet, rather young, hints of grain, salted butter, dried fruit, raisins, fresh fruit, peaches, citrus, lemons, werthers' original
Palate: sweet, young, spicy, red peppers, corn, fresh fruit, peaches, dried fruit, raisins, sultanas, more raisins and sultanas, citrus, lemon
Finish: short, spicy, raisins and sultanas, nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts
Mark: ++/+++

Conclusion: she is a wee one, and a bit too sweet for my taste.

First whisky in the #Scallywag TwitterTasting organised once again by @TheWhiskyWire, in co-operation with Douglas Laing.

More info from the website: "Scallywag is a Small Batch bottling created using only the finest Speyside Malts including – amongst others – Mortlach, Macallan and Glenrothes.

the 1st EVER Douglas Laing Fox Terrier: "Frisky" Circa 1955

Bottled at 46% alcohol strength and non chill-filtered, this Small Batch bottling has a distinct rich, dark colour – extracted from the many fine Spanish Sherry Butts used during maturation. The result is a truly charming Malt with a richly spiced character fused with vanilla (from the bourbon casks used), sweet stewed fruit, Christmas pudding, dark chocolate, zesty orange and sweet tobacco.

Inspired by the long line of Douglas Laing family Fox Terriers, which are renowned for being sweet yet rather mischievous dogs, it was felt the Scallywag name and Fox Terrier design was most fitting for this richly spiced and deliciously sweet Speyside Vatted Malt."