Timorous Beastie 10 Years Old

Timorous Beastie 10 Years Old is a blended malt Scotch from Douglas Laing. It marries single malts from more than one distillery, Dalmore among them. Its long time master distiller Richard Paterson, known as The Nose, shaped the rich house style.

Dalmore's full bodied, oily malt adds weight and a dried fruit depth. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, vanilla and a soft orange behind the rich spirit. The water jacketed stills give a heavy spirit that soaks up sherry over a long maturation. Much of its sherry comes from aged Oloroso casks, the Matusalem, Apostoles and Amoroso butts of Gonzalez Byass. Most expressions are finished in aged sherry wood, giving orange, chocolate and treacle. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the rich malt. Water comes from the River Averon, drawn from Loch Morie in the hills above. Long ageing turns the fresh orange towards marmalade, dark chocolate, coffee and a warm spice.

At 46.8% it is gentle, sweet and fruity. Orange, dried fruit and a dark chocolate richness run through it, full and sherried. A dried fruit and a chocolate depth give it weight. The finish is long, rich and chocolatey. A characterful blended malt Scotch.