Since Douglas Laing first launched the Remarkable Regional Malts series, they’ve taken their regional showpieces and have been able to play around with them. Different ages and cask finishes have become a regular feature for the occasional special edition, and that is especially the case for this Tequila Edition. It’s only been a few years (2019) since the Scotch Whisky Association – the effective regulators and arbiters of what can be scotch whisky – allowed the use of tequila casks for aging scotch whisky.
Being a Rock Island, this features mystery malts from Arran, Islay, Jura, & Orkney with each element having been aged in former tequila casks. No age statements, just coastal influences, bottled at a generous 48% ABV, at natural color and without chill filtration. Full sized bottles (in their very jazzy packaging) are still available at the time of writing around £60-65 GBP. In fact… Douglas Laing have them on offer at £42.50!!! (Click here)
Nose
It’s all very fresh and filled with classical coastal smells. Far more peat-influenced than anticipated with campfires, driftwood, and citrus oils. A touch of apple fruitiness.
Taste
A softer palate than the zesty peat smoke nose would suggest. Yes, the peat smoke is there buts first it delivers a buttery soft texture, malted digestive biscuit flavours, and there more noticeable orchard fruit with the crisp and tart flavours of freshly cut apples and pears. The slight earthiness of the peat adding to that pear profile actually. There’s a puckering citrus-y tartness to it too.
Finish
A white pepper-y flash of heat and smoke complement the citrus note and there’s a final malty creamy flavour to it. Like a summer pudding.
Verdict
A light, zesty and zippy malt. This seemed to be more Islay in style than other Rock Islands that I’ve tried before and the 48% ABV is certainly swinging its weight around. Plenty of fight and zip to it .
Being honest, I’m not so sure what the tequila influence was. Maybe it adds to that citrus zest note throughout? I now wish I had a regular Rock Island to compare it as the control. It’s not too clear what type of tequila was in the casks beforehand (not that I’ll be starting TequilaUnplugged any time soon…) but the different alcohol style supposedly penetrates the cask in a different way.
It was certainly more smoky than I was expecting – which makes me wonder if there’s potential for a mezcal cask next?? The SWA rules may come down on that for now though.
This really reminds me of a young indie bottled Talisker that I had a while back. A 5yo single cask that needed a touch of water to tame it, but still delivered all the classic peated coastal hallmarks of Talisker with a fresher zip to it.
M
Dram disclosure: This sample was received as part of the Master of Malt Pour & Sip paid subscription service. All notes are intended as an honest, fair, and independent review of the whisky, and not as a promotion. Please drink responsibly. Please drink wisely.
whisky unplugged 
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