Timorous Beastie (70cl, 46.8%)

Joining the ranks of Big Peat and Scallywag is Douglas Laing’s Timorous Beastie, a blended malt made entirely of Highland whiskies from distilleries such as Dalmore, Glen Garioch, Glengoyne and more. The name is a nod to the Robert Burns poem ‘To a Mouse’ and to Burns’ wit, as though the mouse in the poem is a timid little thing, this whisky is nothing of the sort!

Nose: Acacia honey, creamy boiled sweeties (the strawberry flavour), dried apricots and white grapes. There’s a good whack of Sherry influence in here too! A whiff of coastal air and classic Highland heather, too.

Palate: Dried fruits, green apples and anise. Sweet grist and malt loaf. Pebble beaches and more heather on the mid palate.

Finish: Long. Drying with hot cinnamon sweeties and fresh bread.

Overall: Who are you calling timorous? This beastie is big, brave and an absolute blast!