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Day 9 - KWM 2025 This Is Still Not An Advent Calendar

Posted on December 9, 2025

by Evan

Speyburn Distillery is owned by Inver House Distillers, which is in turn owned by international parent company ThaiBev. Speyburn’s sister distilleries under the same ownership include 4 other Scottish distilleries, which are Balblair, Balmenach, Knockdhu (bottled under the anCnoc brand name), and Pulteney. With all five distilleries working full bore, Inver House is capable of producing about 13 million litres of new make spirit annually. Speyburn is the company’s largest Scottish distillery, and is responsible for up to 1/3 of its total whisky production.

This bottling of Speyburn comes to us from Old Malt Cask, a label owned by the Hunter Laing company. The Old Malt Cask brand was first launched in 1999, and at the time was owned by the Douglas Laing Company. Wait. It was owned by Douglas Laing, but now it is owned by Hunter Laing?

What gives?

Story time!

Douglas Laing is an independent bottler that was founded in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing after he acquired the rights to the King Of Scots Blend. Fred Sr. and his wife had two sons. Stewart Hunter Laing was born in 1946. Fred Hamilton Laing (Fred Jr.) was born in 1950. Both brothers eventually joined Fred Sr. working at Douglas Laing. Before that though, they both had apprenticeships at other Scotch Whisky companies; something that seems to be a hallmark of families who make Scotch Whisky their trade.

Stewart Laing joined his father Fred Sr. at Douglas Laing in 1967. He had previously apprenticed at Bruichladdich Distillery and other places within the industry. Stewart and his wife had their first son, Scott, in 1979. A few years later, in 1982, their second son Andrew was born.

Fred Laing Jr's first apprenticeship was at Whyte and Mackay starting in 1968, where he learned all parts of whisky production and business, including the art of blending. From there he moved to White Horse Distillers in 1969 to further enhance his blending knowledge. In 1972, he officially joined his Father, Fred Sr., at the family business of Douglas Laing. In 1982, Fred Jr's daughter Cara was born.

Fred Sr., AKA Fred Douglas Laing; the founder of Douglas Laing & Co, passed away in 1984. It was then up to his sons to run the company on their own.

Brothers' Stewart and Fred Jr. quietly – or not so quietly – didn’t really get along. This eventually led the two to go their separate ways in 2013. Stewart Laing took with him some brands created at his former company, such as Old Malt Cask and Old & Rare. Fred Laing Jr. kept the Douglas Laing and brands such as Big Peat, Old Particular, and of course, the exclusive rights to his fabulous moustache.

Long story short: Hunter Laing is the Laing company that now owns Old Malt Cask. They also own the Ardnahoe Distillery, which we discussed on Day 5.

So, this Speyburn was bottled as part of a celebration of the Old Malt Cask brand turning 25 years old. The Old Malt Cask brand has been celebrated as a label that offers quality whisky at a good value. Much of what is bottled under the Old Malt Cask range are single casks that are not bottled at cask strength, but cut to 50% ABV, which is still a reasonable strength in my opinion. It certainly beats 40% and 43%. When it comes to alcohol by volume, big numbers are always better, right?

Old Malt Cask 25th Anniversary Speyburn 17 Year Old – 50%

This 25th Anniversary Old Malt Cask bottling of Speyburn was distilled in 2005, and bottled after 17 years at 50% after maturing in an Oloroso Sherry Butt. Exclusive to KWM!

Evan’s Tasting Note

Nose: Bright malt and sherry notes with plenty of orange zest, golden raisins, honey roasted almonds, pralines, buttered toast, and a dash of saltiness.

Palate: Some saltiness on the palate as well, along with pink grapefruit iced with sugar, white grape juice, tart cranberries, beer nuts, milk chocolate, and light oak spice.

Finish: Lingering peppery spice, salt and sweet grape notes. Dry, yet mouth-watering at the same time.

Comment: A very refreshing dram with a lively combination of spice and sweet notes. Not your typical over the top sherried dram; the tart notes keep this one fresh and fun.

Cheers,

Evan

evan@kensingtonwinemarket.com

This entry was posted in Whisky, Whisky Calendars, Independent Bottler, Tastings - In-Store Tasting, KWM 2025 Still Not An Advent Calendar Tastings

 

 

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