A Secret Orkney 15 year Emporium Exclusive Douglas Laing Old Particular Single Orkney Malt Whisky 61,7%

North of the Scottish mainland lie the Orkney Islands, where the sea gnaws at the cliffs and the wind never quite settles. Only two distilleries call these islands home, and this time Douglas Laing has chosen to keep its cards close to its chest.

Expert Description

Old Particular Orkney's Finest 15 Year Emporium Exclusive is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky from an undisclosed Orkney distillery, matured in a Refill Hogshead and bottled at natural cask strength of 61.7%.

The bottle belongs to Douglas Laing's Old Particular range, where independently bottled single casks are presented with no added colour and no chill filtration, exactly as the spirit left the wood. This particular release forms part of the Emporium Exclusive Bottling, a hand-picked selection bottled at a noticeably higher strength than the range's usual 48.4%. Only 174 bottles were filled from the single Refill Hogshead, and neither the distillery nor the distillation year is disclosed on the label, a choice Douglas Laing deliberately makes on several of its Orkney releases. With only two distilleries on Orkney, the guessing game is part of the appeal. The style is true to the islands: a lightly smoky, salty character balanced by gentle spice and a clear malted barley backbone.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Fresh sea air and candied ginger meet soft caramel and ripe pear, with a whisper of smoke waiting in the background.

Palate

Full-bodied and spiced, with black pepper and cinnamon carried by the high strength, which gives a warm grip on the palate while malted barley keeps everything grounded.

Finish

Long and salty, with lingering smoke and a final teasing note of spice.

Specifications

Name: Old Particular Orkney's Finest 15 Year Emporium Exclusive
Distillery: Undisclosed distillery, Orkney
Bottler: Douglas Laing & Co.
Region/Country: Orkney, Scotland
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 15 Year
ABV: 61.7%
Size: 70 CL
Cask Type: Refill Hogshead
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Number of bottles: 174
Edition: Emporium Exclusive Bottling
EAN no.: 5014218832679

Flavour Profile

Maritime · Smoky · Spiced · Malty

Did You Know?

There are only two whisky distilleries on the whole of Orkney, so when a bottle like this is called secret, the guessing game among whisky enthusiasts really comes down to just two candidates, one Douglas Laing never confirms.

As part of Douglas Laing’s Emporium Exclusive series, this bottling is available through a carefully selected network of specialist whisky retailers, including Whisky.dk. Douglas Laing Emporiums are a curated collection of shops that offer an impressive range of Douglas Laing products, from the renowned Remarkable Regional Malts to rare and exclusive limited editions. A visit to these Emporiums is always worthwhile, providing whisky enthusiasts with the opportunity to explore unique and characterful releases.  

A Secret Orkney 15 Year Old is a whisky that captures the essence of Orkney’s rugged coastline, delivering a rich and complex experience for those who appreciate bold, maritime-influenced single malts. 

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Frequently Asked Questions About Old Particular Orkney's Finest 15 Year Emporium Exclusive

Why is the distillery behind this whisky kept secret?

Douglas Laing has chosen not to reveal which of Orkney's two distilleries the spirit comes from. It's common practice among independent bottlers when the sourcing distillery doesn't permit naming, and it turns the bottling into a small puzzle for whisky enthusiasts.

Is Old Particular Orkney's Finest 15 Year worth it?

With only 174 bottles from a single cask, natural cask strength and nothing added, it's a strong pick for collectors. The value lies in the scarcity and Douglas Laing's reputation as a serious single-cask bottler, not in a name on the label.

Should this whisky be drunk neat or with ice?

At 61.7%, a few drops of water open up the aromas without stripping away the strength. Ice isn't recommended, as the cold shuts down both the smoke and the spice that carry the flavour.

Which glass suits it best?

A Glencairn glass, or another tulip-shaped whisky glass, gathers the aromas best and makes it easier to pick apart the sea air from the smoke and spice.

How should the bottle be stored?

Upright, cool and dark, away from direct sunlight. Since the whisky is bottled with no added colour or filtration, a light sediment can appear, which is entirely normal.

What characterises whisky from Orkney in general?

Orkney's two distilleries sit exposed to wind and sea, which often gives the whisky a salty, maritime character with a gentler smoke than you'd find on Islay.

Why is it bottled at 61.7% instead of the usual 48.4% in the Old Particular range?

Emporium Exclusive Bottling is a select group of Old Particular releases deliberately bottled at natural cask strength rather than the range's usual 48.4%, giving a rawer and more intense expression of the whisky.