Honouring those time-served techniques is what builds Strathearn's famous fruity character. The raw materials go through a considerably long fermentation lasting 144 hours to make that fruitiness possible. After that, the spirit cut points are determined uniquely by nose and taste, and the heart of the distillation is carefully transferred to casks, where it is left to rest until matured to perfection.
This deliberate, slow distillation process produces one cask a day, which speaks to the rarity of the liquid and the creation of a drink of the highest quality. That precious liquid is then captured in a distinctive, bespoke bottle representing the small acorns from which this great oak of a single malt grows.
Bottled at 50% ABV, the rich, deep whisky is a bold but soothing dram. Non chill-filtered and with no added colour, this release is about as natural as it gets. By prioritising flavour over alcohol yield, Strathearn remains committed to using Maris Otter malt exclusively, preferring the delicious, creamy, malty flavour that carries through to the final spirit while still letting the other flavour nuances shine.
On the palate, it coats the mouth with syrupy sweet notes of honey, buttercream and dried apricot with a touch of spice. The warming finish recalls home baking and inviting buttery oat biscuits, tempting you back for another sip.
Cara Laing, managing director of Douglas Laing & Co and third generation of the family business, says: "This moment has been a long time coming, and it is one we are extremely proud to share with the world. As the third generation at the helm of Douglas Laing, I am proud to lead this step into an exciting new venture in distilling.
"Our Strathearn distillery team makes one cask of spirit per shift or, put simply, one cask a day. That may seem like a drop in the ocean compared to some distilleries, but for Strathearn it is a proudly handmade drop that expresses the distillery's spirit. Strathearn is the very embodiment of quality over quantity. It is part of our family's story, but rest assured this is only the beginning for Douglas Laing Distilling."
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