Double Barrel Caol Ila / Tamdhu (Douglas Laing)

Double Barrel Caol Ila / Tamdhu (Douglas Laing) is a blended malt Scotch from Douglas Laing. It marries single malts from more than one distillery to a house style. Speyside malt such as Tamdhu lends a rich, sherried fruit to such whiskies.

The malts are vatted to a house recipe, sherried Speyside spirit among them. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. The maker selects casks for the balance each lends, then marries the whiskies before bottling. The maker marries the whiskies to a house style before bottling. A blend folds together malt and grain, or malts from several distilleries. Sherried Speyside malt lends a dried fruit richness to such whiskies. The casks are chosen for the depth and fruit each brings. A period of marrying lets the whiskies settle together. The result is a rounded, fruity Scotch. Speyside malts have long been the heart of fine blends. A rich, fruity profile runs through it.

At 46% it is clean and fruity. Dried fruit, orchard fruit and a warm spice run through it, with a soft oak depth. A baked apple and a warm ginger lift it. It closes long, sherried and warm. A characterful blended malt Scotch.