Douglas Laing's The Gauldrons Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The Gauldrons is the latest addition to Douglas Laing's "Remarkable Regional Malts", alongside The Epicurean (The Lowlands), Timorous Beastie (The Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), Rock Oyster (The Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).

Its name which translates to "bay of storms", is inspired by the dark sandy coves lining Campbeltown’s west coast. Legend has it the Scot's king, Robert the Bruce, hid from his enemies in a cave there, and while sequestered observed a spider’s patient efforts to build its web. The difficulties overcome by the spider encouraged Robert to return to battle against the English.

Says Fred Laing, managing director of Douglas Laing, "The Gauldrons has seen us carefully marry together some of our best, and indeed rarest, casks of Campbeltown single malt. The resulting spirit is a unique combination of salt and sweet – the archetypal maritime tang balanced perfectly by a sugary, cereal character."

Notes from the bottler... On the nose detect a dry saltiness with sweet cereal and a late hint of gentle peat smoke. The palate is initially dry (beachy and maritime) warming to crunched sugar, barley and oak. The warmingly spiced finish brings puffs of smoke and rock pools with a dark sugar sweetness. 46.2% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.