Douglas

Glasgow-based Douglas Laing & Co are independent bottlers and blenders headed by brothers, Fred and Stewart Laing, who proved the value of nepotism when they succeeded their father, Fred Douglas who founded the company in 1948. And, in truth, they've not let their Dad down over the past 25 years in charge. Indeed, they've grafted to uphold the traditions of the family - apart from the sheep stealing and cattle rustling. They have successfully expanded their markets so that their highly-rated ranges now regularly features blends up to 25 years old, using the original blend specifications handed down to them - and written out so they wouldn't forget them.

A key feature is their vast stock of different Malts built up over the last 50 years and it's been a pleasing perk, benefit and privilege for the current directors to nose and taste some of the finest quality samples. Fred and Stewart, astute as their father was ground-breaking, got their heads together at one tasting session and boldly declared: “Some of these malts are too good to blend.” And so it was in 1998, before they headed off to celebrate the new Millennium, that their much sought-after OLD MALT CASK selection was rolled out.

This is guarded and cherished stock, sold by allocation. But the brothers, once they've stopped looking longingly at their pride and joy, will cheerfully dig out a bottle from the corner of a warehouse and happily sell it to discerning customers with accompanying explanatory booklets and carefully-worded tasting notes penned by self-styled, in-house wordsmith, Fred with Stewart checking his spelling.

Today the company has contented clients in the Far East, Europe, the USA, Russia, South Africa and Australasia and, increasingly, in the UK where London giants, Harrod's, Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges as well as premium independent Whisky specialists like The Whisky Shop Group and Vintage House are on the customer manifest.

Brothers The brothers' passports are rarely in their desk drawers as they carry out extensive tastings throughout the year all over the world, always dressed appropriately in the kilt, not the same one, of course. They are proud Scots - and the Scottish attitudes of honesty, courtesy and friendliness is amply demonstrated as they go about their business at home and abroad boosting their business and customer satisfaction. AN EXPERT VIEW by JOHN MILROY For over 30 years I have had the pleasure of dealing with the two brothers, sometimes a few cases and even container quantities but always vibrant and stimulating when we meet up in Glasgow or overseas. There's never a dry glass in sight! I was delighted when the opportunity arose for me to propose Fred and Stewart into the Whisky Brotherhood of The Keepers of The Quaich at Blair Castle. They have contributed many fascinating bottlings and original packaging to become a World Wide Whisky House of great merit which Scotland can be proud off. I raise my glass to their success and ‘lang may they continue to roll out the best barrels John Milroy was The Founder of Milroy's of Soho in 1964, who were perhaps the leading pioneers of Single Scotch Malt Whiskies in the London Retail Trade and has since spent many years traveling the world promoting 'happy drams' the finest drink in the world. John retired from his London shop in 1996 but continues to be an Independent Bottler of Fine Malts.