The Old Particular Collection

Here at Milroys we have always loved the rare, unusual and special one off cask. Douglas Laing delivers that on multiple levels by finding the those dark corners in warehouses across Scotland where those whisky gems hide. Here are some of those gems from the Old Particular range, reviewed by our very own Soho whisky bar team.

Eddy on Inchgower 21

“Oh this Inchgower 21 is like an old friend visiting, bringing with it so many memories? I remember the first time we had this in the bar, it got a lots of attention, no wonder ! It’s sweet, gentle and elegant full of Speyside character is all what you want in a old and well matured dram. I once had a gentleman that kept refusing samples of different whiskies based on colour and label, so after the 3rd refusal I decided to give him a taste of this, but blinding the label and its colour. He was overwhelmed as he described it as of honey and ice cream. He a bought a bottle on the spot. For me this is one of those distilleries that you don’t get your hands on easily, Douglas Laing should be thanked for such a pleasure.”

Katie on Caol Ila 14

This 14 year old unpeated – yes, unpeated Caol Ila! – makes for a treat for Caol Ila fans, or those looking for a gentle Islay sip. This has all the gentle earthy and ozone notes of usual Caol Ila without any smoke, resulting in a deliciously umami and elegant character. Vanilla, lemon zest, black tea and ginger are some of many exotic notes to be found here. Now, if only we were drinking it on an Islay beach.

Jason on Jura 12

This Jura was left to mature in an ex-refill bourbon barrel. Subtle hints of dried fruit, citrus, vanilla, with spice on the back end which has only been enhanced by sherried fruitiness, and just a hint of smoke like a spent memory of childhood camp fires.

Some tend to pass it by because of it’s pale straw colour, well, I see that as challenge. Grabbing the bottle and putting it right in front of the them so they can get a good look at it, their face changing, eyes brows coming down and chin boss going up in the usual expression of ‘I’m not sure about this one’, by this time I already have a glass in my hand ready to pour a small taste. They try it. I win.

In this line of work you come across a lot of Independent bottling’s that make you wonder why the distillery doesn’t follow suit. Douglas Laing just get it right. A lot.

Frankie on Braeval 18

Braeval Distillery, also known as Braes of Glenlivet, one of the highest distillery in Scotland – (355m above sea level). I guess not many people heard of this distillery as most of their spirit distilled goes for blending primarily into Chivas Blends, and you may see some independent bottlers bottled as single cask sometimes. I still remembered the first time when I tried this dram, It reminded me one of my fall road trip in Japan. I was taking a break at a tea house, enjoying some spiced biscuits and buttery jam toast in the mountain forest with the lovely woody dry leaves smell surrounding me.

SHOP OLD PARTICULAR