The Old Malt Cask range was first introduced by Douglas Laing & Co. Ltd. in 1998.
Douglas Laing was founded in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing. In 1972 Fred’s son, 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
Invariably bottled from a single cask at 50% ABV (aside from a handful of anomalies), there have been some astounding examples of vintage and aged whisky in this series. The Old Malt Cask series followed the Hunter side of the Laingclan when the company split in 2013.
After more than 25 years of supplying high quality single malts, always without artificial colouring or chill-filtration, the series is still regarded as one of the market leaders in high standard single cask whiskies - many of which are highly sought after and increasingly harder to source. We are going to go over just a handful of spectacular bottlings from the OMC range here: -
Ardbeg 1975 27yo OMC
This stunning 27 year old sherry matured Islay single malt was distilled at Ardbeg in March 1975 before being bottled especially for Douglas Laing's Old Malt Cask series in May 2002.
Bottled at the series standard strength 50% ABV, this is one of just 342 bottles that scored a whopping 92 points on WhiskyFun and comes complete with original carton.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,500. Buy Here.
Ballindalloch 1965 40yo OMC
Although undisclosed on the labels and packaging, could this 40 year old Ballindalloch 'Valley of the Green Grass' single malt simply be an alias for a Glenfarclas distillation from April 1965?
Drawn from Sherry butt number 1979, this is one of just 289 limited bottling's that were released for Douglas Laing's Old Malt Cask series in July 2005.
Awarded an absolutely massive 94 points from the WhiskyFun critics!
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,500. Buy Here.
Ben Nevis 1966 46yo OMC
This spectacular 46 year old Highland single malt was laid down at the Ben Nevis distillery in June 1966 and bottled for Douglas Laing's The Old Malt Cask series in February 2013.
Drawn from refill hogshead number 9511, this single cask was bottled at a natural strength 43.1% ABV (a divergence from the familiar 50%) and is one of just 184 bottles that comes complete with original carton.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £1,666.67. Buy Here.
Glenury 1968 32yo OMC – Sherry Cask
This exceptionally rare 32 year old Highland single malt was laid down at the Glenury distillery in November 1968 and bottled by Douglas Laing & Co. for their classic Old Malt Cask range in February 2001.
Charged from a single sherry sherry hogshead and bottled at a natural cask strength 49.4% ABV, this is one of only 258 bottles from another of Scotlands long lost distilleries, with the Glenury (AKA Glenury Royal) site closing its doors for the final time in 1985. WhiskyFun later reviewed and awarded this rarity a big 90 points!
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,083.33. Buy Here.
Littlemill 1965 34yo OMC
An ultra rare 34 year old Lowland single malt that was laid down in October 1965 at the Littlemill distillery and bottled for the decorated Old Malt Cask series from Douglas Laing & Co. in November 1999.
One of just 126 bottles filled at a natural cask strength 49.3% ABV - a change from the usual preferred series strength of 50% ABV, this is a fantastic malt from a distillery that ceased production way back in 1994.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,083.33. Buy Here.
Longmorn 1969 30yo OMC
This captivating 30 year old Speyside single malt was laid down at the Longmorn distillery in September 1969, before being bottled especially for Douglas Laing's Old Malt Cask series in November 1999.
Bottled at the series preferred strength 50% ABV, this is one of only 191 bottles that scored a whopping 95 points on WhiskyFun - their highest ever score for a Longmorn malt!
The Whisky Vault Price: net £4,166.67. Buy Here.
Port Ellen 1982 21yo OMC – Islay Whisky Shop Bottling
A single cask 21 year old Islay malt that was laid down at the Port Ellen distillery in February 1982 and bottled for Douglas Laing's Old Malt Cask series in October 2003.
Specially selected for The Islay Whisky Shop, this sherry matured rarity is one of just 216 very limited bottlings that scored a magnificent 93 points with the WhiskyFun folks and comes complete with the original carton.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,083.33. Buy Here.
Rosebank 1973 28yo OMC
This sensational 28 year old Lowland single malt was laid down in January 1973 at the Rosebank distillery and bottled in February 2001 for the decorated Old Malt Cask series from Douglas Laing & Co.
One of only 270 bottles, this rarity from one of Scotland's legendary (and recently resurrected) distilleries was bottled at the preferred series strength of 50% ABV.
This beauty picked up a massive 93 points on WhiskyFun.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £5,000. Buy Here.
Strathmill 1962 45yo OMC – Sherry Cask #3552
This super rare 45 year old Speyside single malt was laid to rest at the Strathmill distillery in April 1962 and bottled especially for Douglas Laing's Old Malt Cask series in May 2007.
Matured in single sherry butt number 3552 and bottled at a natural strength 40.5% ABV, this is one of only 317 bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,083.33. Buy Here.
Tomatin 1970 40yo OMC
This long-aged Speyside single malt was produced at the Tomatin distillery in December 1970 and bottled for the Old Malt Cask series from Douglas Laing & Co. in May 2011.
Filled from refill hogshead number 7273 at a natural cask strength 44.3% ABV, this 40 year old rare vintage is one of just 168 bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £1,500. Buy Here.
To view our full archive of The Old Malt Cask bottlings, click here.