Douglas Laing & Co Xop Blair Athol 30 Year Old

XOP Blair Athol 30 Year Old is a limited Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky released by independent bottler Douglas Laing & Co. as part of its 75th Anniversary Diamond Collection. Distilled at Blair Athol in June 1993 and bottled in July 2023, it matured for 30 years in a single Sherry butt and was bottled at 54.4% ABV, with just 399 hand-filled bottles produced; the release is presented without added colouring or chill filtration.

Food Pairing: Christmas cake, cinnamon-spiced apple tart, dark chocolate, roasted nuts, fruitcake or mature hard cheese.

Tasting Notes: A mature, Sherry-driven Highland single malt with autumn fruit, dried fruit sweetness, warming spice, coffee and a contrasting touch of mint.

Nose: Coffee leads into fresh autumn fruits, cinnamon and the comforting sweetness of freshly baked cake.

Palate: Rich Sherry character brings sugary sultanas and ripe fruit, balanced by warming spice and a creamy texture.

Finish: Warming and increasingly dry, with cooling mint followed by lingering mocha and spice.

Serve: Enjoy neat at room temperature. A small amount of water can be added gradually to open the whisky while retaining its cask-strength character.