The XOP: Xtra Old Particular range from Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd is a range of the very finest single cask whiskies from one of Scotland’s best-loved independent bottlers.
Having recently celebrated their diamond anniversary (75 years), Douglas Laing was founded in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing. In 1972 Fred’s son, confusingly also named Fred Laing (so who we will refer to here as Fred Jr.) joined the family business, before taking more control in 1982 when Fred Sr. passed away. Fred ran the business alongside his brother, Stewart Hunter Laing, until 2013 when they decided to split the company assets and go their separate ways with Stewart establishing the Hunter Laing Co. It would be the same year that Cara Laing, daughter of Fred Jr., joins the Douglas Laing empire. Cara now acts as the Director of Whisky, whilst Fred Jr. is the Chairman, who still actively plays a role in the selection of these fine whiskies – including regularly adding informative and incitive tasting notes to the bottles and packaging inserts.
Bottlings for the XOP series are chosen from the finest aged single cask whiskies, including many from highly revered distilleries and those that have been lost to the history books. Always bottled at natural cask strength with no chill-filtration or colour additives, there have been some spectacular expressions over the years since XOP first hit our shelves in 2014.
There have been some exciting variations on the XOP brand since its inception, such as XOP Rare, The Black Series, Seasonal Curiosities, XOP Platinum, The Diamond Series (for the 75th anniversary) and The Chairman’s Choice. Now see below for some of their finest work, all taken from the XOP series in chronological order: -
Bruichladdich 1989 26yo XOP
This limited edition 26 year old Bruichladdich single malt was distilled in April 1989 and bottled in September 2015 for Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular series.
Drawn from single cask number 10859, this is one of just 225 bottling's that comes complete with wooden presentation case and COA insert.
The Whisky Vault Price: 458.33 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Macallan 1977 40yo XOP
This sensational 40 year old Speyside single malt was laid to rest at The Macallan distillery in May 1977 and bottled in June 2017 for Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular series together with new premium packaging; which includes a glorious glass stopper, timber presentation case and COA.
Drawn from single refill hogshead number 11835 at a cask strength 45.2% ABV, this is one of just 240 limited bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: 5,000 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Ardbeg 1992 25yo XOP Platinum
This exclusive 25 year old Islay single malt was laid to rest at the Ardbeg distillery in October 1992 and bottled for Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular series in February 2018 - with this extra special Platinum release commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Douglas Laing & Co.
Drawn from refill hogshead number 12290 at a natural cask strength 50.5% ABV, this hot property is one of only 251 bottles that scored 92 points on WhiskyFun and comes complete with glass stopper decanter, fine presentation case and COA.
This was the first of four special Platinum releases from throughout 2018 when Douglas Laing celebrated their 70th year in magnificent style.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,500 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Bowmore 1989 30yo XOP, The Black Series
This extraordinarily limited release 30 year old single malt was distilled at Bowmore in March 1989 and bottled by Douglas Laing in June 2019 as the sophomore entry into their Xtra Old Particular Black Series range - which pays homage to their finest and rarest antique single cask whiskies stocks.
Yielded from single refill hogshead number 13204 at a natural strength 47.4% ABV, this rare Islay malt is one of just 276 bottles that comes complete with stunning pitch black presentation case and signed COA.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,375 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Invergordon 1966 53yo XOP, Single Grain
This marvellous 53 year old Highland single grain whisky was laid to rest at the Invergordon distillery in May 1966 and specially bottled for Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular series in May 2019.
Drawn from refill barrel number 13339 at a natural strength 49.6% ABV, this is one of just 121 hand-filled bottles that comes complete with glass stopper decanter, fine wooden presentation case and COA.
The Whisky Vault Price: 1,250 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Macallan 1990 31yo XOP, The Black Series
This red-hot 31 year old Speyside single malt was distilled at The Macallan in May 1990 and bottled by Douglas Laing in December 2021 as a further entry into their Xtra Old Particular Black Series - a range which pays homage to their finest and rarest antique single cask whiskies stocks.
Charged from single refill sherry hogshead number 15149 at a natural cask strength 42.3% ABV, this is one of just 174 bottles that comes complete with stunning pitch black presentation case and signed COA.
The Whisky Vault Price: 2,500 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Ledaig 1997 25yo XOP, Seasonal Curiosities
This superb 25 year old Isle of Mull single malt was laid to rest at the Tobermory distillery in April 1997 and bottled under the distillery's Ledaig label (the moniker of their heavily peaty releases) for Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular Seasonal Curiosities range in June 2022.
Yielded from single refill hogshead number 15873 at a natural cask strength 57.2% ABV, this uniquely labelled Islander is one of a paltry 62 hand-filled bottles that comes with glass stopper decanter, wooden presentation case and COA insert.
The Whisky Vault Price: 500 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
North British 30yo XOP Rare, Single Grain
This awesome 30 year old single grain whisky was produced at the North British distillery and bottled for Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular Rare series in 2022.
Yielded from single refill hogshead number 15727 at a natural cask strength 45.3% ABV, this Lowlander is one of only 25 hand-filled bottles that comes complete with glass stopper decanter, premium presentation case and COA insert.
The Whisky Vault Price: 625 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Port Ellen 1982 40yo XOP, Douglas Laing 75th Anniversary
This remarkable 40 year old Islay single malt was produced at the legendary Port Ellen distillery, where stocks of this quality and magnitude are running on the low side.
Distilled in September 1982, this sherry-matured beauty was drawn from from single refill butt number 17544 at a huge natural cask strength 59.1% and bottled for Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular series in July 2023 as a part of their 75th Anniversary celebration releases.
One of only 290 hand filled bottles that scored a colossal 94pts on WhiskyFun and comes presented in a luxury diamond-shaped gift box comes with metal labels, a premium booklet and hand-signed COA. Each gift box carries a Richard Brendon Diamond cut crystal decanter and whisky glass that carry a combined retail value of over £400.
The Whisky Vault Price: 4,375 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
Laphroaig 1997 25yo XOP
This mesmeric 25 year old Islay single malt was laid to rest at the Laphroaig distillery in October 1997 and bottled for Douglas Laing's Xtra Old Particular series in September 2023.
Yielded from single refill hogshead number 17742 at a natural cask strength 56.4% ABV, this is one of just 167 rare bottles that comes supplied in a fine pitch-black presentation case with COA.
The Whisky Vault Price: 625 GBP (Ex-VAT). Buy Here.
The XOP range is a series that has always been popular with customers at The Whisky Vault and we always look forward to the press releases of new stock. Their commitment to the industry and providing outstanding single malt/grain, cask strength whiskies continues to inspire and bring joy to us and their army of devotees. We can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon. Click here to view our full range from the XOP: Xtra Old Particular archives.