When it comes to rare Scotch whisky, few names resonate with connoisseurs quite like Douglas Laing. The Glasgow-based independent bottler was founded in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing. While many whisky lovers know Douglas Laing for its popular Remarkable Regional Malts (like Big Peat and Timorous Beastie) and The Old Malt Cask and XOP range, its the Old & Rare Platinum Selection that represents a
very different tier: ultra-limited, vintage single cask single malts, often from long-closed distilleries and exceptionally old stocks.
Emergence of the Private Collection
The Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection was launched shortly after the millennium, early notable releases began to appear around 2003–2004, such as the Glenlochy 1965 38yo and Caperdonich 1967 36yo. These high-end, single-cask, natural-strength releases were housed in distinctive wooden presentation boxes.
Hunter Laing took over the prestigious Old & Rare Platinum Selection from Douglas Laing & Co. in 2013. Hunter Laing was formed when Stewart and Fred Laing went their separate ways in 2013. Stewart would take with him the Old & Rare and Old Malt Cask label with him.
What Makes it Platinum?
Unlike regular releases, the Platinum Selection is: -
• Single cask — each release comes from one cask only.
• Elite brands — rare casks from top tier distilleries, including from many now closed.
• Non-chill filtered, natural colour — preserving more of the spirit’s character.
• Cask strength — undiluted and intense.
• Long-aged — many expressions sit in oak for 30+ years, sometimes approaching 40 or more.
• Collector-oriented packaging — often in premium boxes with certificates of authenticity.
Early Platinum releases were initially bottled for markets such as Japan and Europe, with the name Old & Rare Platinum Selection eventually becoming more widespread among collectors worldwide.
Ten of the Best from the Old & Rare Platinum Selection
Below we take a look at some of the rarest and highly sought after bottlings from the range: -
Ardbeg 1973 29yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
This fabulous 29 year old Islay single malt was laid to rest at the Ardbeg distillery in 1973 and bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. for their Old & Rare Platinum Selection in 2002.
Filled at a natural strength 51.4% ABV, this is one of only 137 bottles that scored a magnificent 95 points on WhiskyFun.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £3,333.33. Buy Here.
Ardbeg 1973 30yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection - 51.9%
This incredible 30 year old single malt was laid down at the Ardbeg distillery in 1973 and bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. for their Old & Rare Platinum Selection in 2003.
Bottled at a natural strength 51.9% AB, this is one of a measly 94 bottles that comes supplied with original presentation case and COA insert.
An absolute legend from the Islay giants that was awarded a gigantic 96 points from the fine fellows at WhiskyFun and can certainly be categorised as one of the elite!
The Whisky Vault Price: net £3,750. Buy Here.
Ben Nevis 1963 40yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
This long-aged 40 year old Highland single malt was laid to rest at the Ben Nevis distillery in 1963 and bottled for Douglas Laing's Old & Rare Platinum Selection in 2004.
Yielded from single cask at a natural strength 45.7% ABV, this rare gem was finished in sherrywood and is one of 339 bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £1,666.67. Buy Here.
Brora 1972 31yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
This jaw-dropping 31 year old Highland single malt was laid down at the legendary Brora distillery in 1972 and bottled for Douglas Laing's Old & Rare Platinum Selection in 2003.
Yielded from single oak at a natural strength 49.3% ABV, this is one of just 221 extremely rare bottlings that comes complete with original Presentation case.
If that wasn't enough to tempt you; wait until you hear this classic Brora scored a mammoth 94 points with the experts over at WhiskyFun!
The Whisky Vault Price: net £6,666.67. Buy Here.
Clynelish 1971 35yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
This stunning 35 year old Highland single malt was laid to rest at the Clynelish distillery in 1971 and bottled for Douglas Laing's Old & Rare Platinum series in 2006.
Drawn from a single cask at a natural strength 46.5% ABV, this is numbered 134 of just 246 bottles that comes complete with beautifully crafted wooden presentation case and COA.
Undoubtedly, this was produced during the time when the distillery were enjoying a hot streak in the early 1970's; backed up by the WhiskyFun experts whom awarded this a sparkling 92 points.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £5,000. Buy Here.
Glen Grant 1976 30yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
This deeply-sherried 30 year old Speyside single malt was laid to rest at the Glen Grant distillery in 1976 and bottled for Douglas Laing's Old & Rare Platinum Selection in 2006.
Drawn from single Sherry cask at a natural strength 49.4% ABV, this is one of only 308 bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £1,000. Buy Here.
Glenrothes 1979 25yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
This extra rare 25 year old Speyside single malt was laid down at the Glenrothes distillery in 1979 and bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. for their Old & Rare Platinum Selection in 2005.
Filled at a natural cask strength 51.9% ABV, this deep coloured malt has clearly spent a lot of time maturing in Sherry wood.
If you were already purring at the thought of this wonderful single cask, then we best not tell you that this is one of just 235 bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £1,666.67. Buy Here.
Inchgower 1965 38yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
This incredibly rare 38 year old Speyside single malt was laid to rest at the Inchgower distillery in 1965 and bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. for their Old & Rare Platinum range in 2003.
Yielded from single cask at a natural strength 50.4% ABV, this sherry-matured beauty is one of only 432 bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,083.33. Buy Here.
Macallan 1979 32yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
This truly special and unique 32 year old Speyside single malt was laid down in June 1979 at The Macallan distillery and bottled in July 2011 for Douglas Laing's Old & Rare Platinum Selection.
Bottled from a refill sherry butt at a natural cask strength 53.2% ABV this is one of 212 very limited bottlings.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,500. Buy Here.
Port Ellen 1979 29yo, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum Selection
This ultra rare 29 year old Islay single malt, from the Port Ellen distillery, was laid down in December 1979 and bottled for Douglas Laing's Old & Rare Platinum Selection in February 2009.
Originally only available through World Duty Free, this is one of just 261 bottles filled at a natural cask strength 53.8% ABV.
We should also add that it was rewarded with a mammoth 93 point haul on the WhiskyFun site.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,500. Buy Here.
A Legendary Range of Bottlings
What a series. Has there ever been a more successful range in terms of bottlings so highly regarded from connoisseurs, experts and whisky lovers alike? To view a full archive of our Old & Rare Platinum Selection, click here.