DOUGLAS LAING RELEASE NEW ROCK ISLAND BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY: ROCK ISLAND 16-YEAR-OLD SHERRY EDITION – Scotch Whisky News
DOUGLAS LAING RELEASE NEW ROCK ISLAND BLENDED MALT SCOTCH WHISKY:
ROCK ISLAND 16-YEAR-OLD SHERRY EDITION
Independent Scotch Whisky Distillers, Blenders, and Bottlers, Douglas Laing & Co., are proud to announce their latest limited-edition release under the Rock Island brand: Rock Island 16-Year-Old Sherry Edition.
Following the success of the 14-Year-Old Sherry Edition, released in 2023, this unique Island Malt has been matured for an additional two years in Sherry casks, resulting in even greater depth of flavour.
This exceptional Whisky is a marriage of Single Malts from the Whisky-making islands of Orkney, Arran, Jura, and Islay, all aged for 16 years and predominantly matured in Sherry casks. These hand-selected casks enhance Rock Island’s signature sweet peat and maritime influence with layers of dried fruits, walnut, and vanilla, now complemented by honeycomb and toasted almonds. A true testament to the impact of additional maturation time.
Bottled at 46.8% ABV, this edition mirrors the strength of the 14-Year-Old, allowing for a direct comparison between these two Sherry-led expressions. As with all Douglas Laing releases, it is non-chill filtered and free from artificial colouring, in line with the family ethos of bottling Whisky ‘as natural as it gets’.
Packaged in a premium foiled carton with a complementing label, this release presents Rock Island in a new light – modern and powerful, yet true to its maritime heritage.
Chloe Wood, Rock Island’s Brand Manager, commented:
“Rock Island 16-Year-Old is a release we are all incredibly excited about at Douglas Laing. The brand itself showcases a truly unique composition, containing Single Malts from some of Scotland’s most acclaimed Whisky-making islands. To release these in a predominantly Sherry-matured expression is a special moment, particularly as it marks the first 16-Year-Old under the Rock Island brand. The flavour profile, shaped by both the spirit itself and the hand-selected Sherry casks, creates a Whisky experience not to be missed. It truly highlights the importance of time and patience in Whisky maturation.”
Expected to retail at £75.00 / €90.00, Rock Island 16-Year-Old Sherry Edition will be available from specialist retailers and online across Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific.
ABOUT DOUGLAS LAING & CO.
Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading independent Scotch Whisky distillery, blender and bottler specialising in the selection and release of Single Cask Single and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies.
The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family – Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.
The company philosophy is to bottle the way the distiller intended – at a high strength and without chill filtration to preserve the robust and unique character of the Whisky. Douglas Laing’s industry reputation and many awards are a testament to this ethos.
Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts, the Ultimate Distillation of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Regions, encompasses The Epicurean Lowland Malt Scotch Whisky, Timorous Beastie (Highlands), Scallywag (Speyside), The Gauldrons (Campbeltown), Rock Island (Islands) and Big Peat (Islay).
Beyond its Blended Malts expertise, the award-winning Douglas Laing portfolio also includes Provenance, Premier Barrel, Old, Xtra Old Particular, and XOP Black, collectively known as the firm’s “Exceptional Single Casks”.
