Scarabus Cigar Malt Edition Hunter Laing Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky 46%

There's a bottle on Islay nobody will name a name for. Behind the bronze label with its hidden symbols sits a peated dram, born to mark the opening of Hunter Laing's own distillery, Ardnahoe. Scarabus means "a rocky place" in Old Norse - and that's about as much as the Laing family are willing to give away.

Expert's Description

Scarabus Cigar Malt is a peated Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky, fully matured across Oloroso sherry casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and Ruby Port casks, and bottled at 46%.

Scarabus Cigar Malt is the newest addition to Hunter Laing's Scarabus collection, and it stands apart from the other expressions through its cask composition. Where the original bottling sticks to a more classic maturation, Cigar Malt is matured simultaneously across three cask types - Oloroso, Pedro Ximénez and Ruby Port - each layering something different on top of the signature Islay peat. The source distillery is undisclosed, as is tradition across the whole Scarabus range, though the depth of the smoke and the oily texture hint at one of the island's better-known peated producers.

The name Cigar Malt is no accident. The whisky is built to hold its own against a bold cigar without either one drowning the other out - cocoa, roasted notes and a persistent smokiness give it the weight for it.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Rich and generous with candied orange peel, stewed red berries and almonds, while an earthy peat works through underneath.

Palate

Dry peat smoke layers with dark treacle, dark fruit and a gentle, toasted sweetness from the casks.

Finish

Long and warming, with a rounded sweetness that lingers well after the last sip.

Specifications

Name: Scarabus Cigar Malt
Distillery: Undisclosed
Bottler: Hunter Laing
Region/Country: Scotland, Islay
Type: Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Cask type: Oloroso sherry casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks and Ruby Port casks
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5060354289983

Flavour Profile

Peated · Sherry and Port matured · Dark fruit · Spiced

Did You Know?

The symbols on the Scarabus label are deliberately cryptic and draw on islander John Francis Campbell's invention, a sunshine recorder that tracked the hours of daylight on Islay - the same urge to measure the unmeasurable runs through the brand's whole "only those who seek shall find" philosophy.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Scarabus Cigar Malt

Which distillery makes Scarabus Cigar Malt?

Hunter Laing won't say. The whole Scarabus range is built around the idea that "only those who seek shall find," and the source distillery is kept off both the label and any official material.

Is Scarabus Cigar Malt worth it?

Yes, if complex, cask-driven Islay whisky is your thing. Full maturation across three cask types at once is unusual for a whisky at this level, and it comes out noticeably more layered than a standard peated single malt.

Do I need to smoke a cigar to enjoy Scarabus Cigar Malt?

Not at all. The name refers to the whisky being built to stand up against a bold cigar, but it holds its own perfectly well as a dram on its own thanks to its weight and sweetness.

Should Scarabus Cigar Malt be served with ice or water?

A few drops of cold water open up the aromas without diluting the peat too much. Ice isn't recommended, as the cold shuts down both the fruit and the spice notes.

What glass suits Scarabus Cigar Malt best?

A narrow, tapered glass, like a classic nosing glass, pulls both the smoke and the sherry sweetness together best. See our range of whisky glasses.

Does Scarabus Cigar Malt make a good gift?

Yes, especially for a whisky lover who also enjoys a good cigar. The dark label and the air of mystery around it make it a conversation piece in its own right.

Are there other peated Islay whiskies worth trying if I like this style?

Yes, Islay is home to several of Scotland's most heavily peated distilleries. See our full range of whisky distilleries.