Timorous Beastie - 46.8%
Douglas Laing's Timorous Beastie is most certainly not for the fainthearted! This non-coloured, non-chill-filtered Small Batch bottling is a marriage of appropriately aged and selected Highland Malts - including, amongst others, those distilled at Glen Garioch, Dalmore and Glengoyne
Nose: Overridingly sweet initially, then warming to floral, light barley and spicy honeyed tones.
Palate: Opens in a spicy style with fructiferous notes of raisin and a sugary, fudgey character.
Finish: Subtle yet sweet with a real oaky flavour, hints of milky cereals and late meringue.
No added colour, no chill filtration.
Tasting notes:
Appearance: Pale white wine colour, forms a thin line which beads and falls as thick, oily legs.
Nose: Sweet vanilla, icing sugar, honey, becomes a little floral, coconut cream.
Palate: Initial cinnamon spice, dried fruit, vanilla, boiled fruit sweets, Scottish Tablet.
Finish: Sugar Puffs, spicy cinnamon and peppery heat.
Summary: A good, solid whisky with decent complexity, sweet but not overpowering and a reasonable hit of spice. Priced under £40 which represents good value for money, although I would be tempted to spend a little more and get the 10 year old expression.
If you would like more information on the range of Douglas Laing whiskies including Timorous Beastie, please visit the company website.
Transparency: this sample pack and tasting session was by invitation of Douglas Laing & Co. The author has no affiliation with the company, all opinions are my own and remain completely impartial.
