Whisky barks up right tree

• Scallywag is bottled at 46% ABV.
• Scallywag is bottled at 46% ABV.

FAMILY-owned whisky firm Douglas Laing & Co has paid tribute to a “long line” of the family’s fox terriers with the launch of Speyside ‘vatted malt’ Scallywag.

The packaging of the small batch bottling features a fox terrier with the name Scallywag, inspired by what the firm described as “sweet yet rather mischievous dogs”.
Bottled at 46% ABV, the whisky is said to be a blend of a number of Speyside malts, including liquid from the Mortlach, Macallan and Glenrothes distilleries.
Fred Laing, managing director at the firm, said the whisky was born “from a chance sketch by a designer” of the family dog.
“‘Sweet’ was the key which focused us on Speyside,” said Laing. “Its cask selection is self-evidently heavy on the sherry background, balanced by first fill bourbon casks.”