This Blair Athol 13 Year Old from Douglas Laing’s Old Particular “Red Wine Collection” feels like stepping into a Highland cellar where fruit-soaked oak, malt sweetness, and quiet maturity hang in the air. It’s whisky shaped not just by time, but by the bold influence of European red wine casks, turning a classic Highland malt into something darker, richer, and irresistibly characterful.

Douglas Laing Old Particular “Red Wine Collection” Highland Blair Athol 13 Year Old 2011 48.4% 70cl
Brand: Douglas Laing (Old Particular) | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 48.4% | Origin: Highlands, Scotland | Volume: 70cl

Tasting Profile
Nose: Rich, fruity, and wine-kissed. Dark berries, stewed plums, red grapes, polished oak, and Highland malt rise with warm sweetness.
Palate: Bold, velvety, and full of personality. Notes of jammy red fruit, cocoa, malted barley, soft spice, and toasted oak unfold with cask-strength energy.
Finish: Long, warming, and wine-drenched. Berry compote, oak spice, and gentle tannins linger in a deep, satisfying fade.

Production Details
Distilled in 2011 and aged for 13 years, this Blair Athol matured in European red wine casks selected by Douglas Laing for their rich, fruity influence. Bottled at 48.4% without chill filtration or added color, it delivers pure cask character, honest, vibrant, and full of Highland depth. The Old Particular series is known for showcasing single casks with individuality and flair, and this release is no exception.

Perfect For
Fans of wine-finished whiskies, collectors of independent bottlings, after-dinner pours, and anyone who enjoys bold fruit-forward malts with structure and warmth.

Expert Notes
Critics praise the Red Wine Collection for amplifying natural malt sweetness while adding depth from European oak. This Blair Athol stands out for its balance of red fruit richness and classic Highland backbone.

Customer Reviews
"Juicy, rich, and packed with flavor. The wine cask really shines."
"Great balance of sweetness and spice. Super enjoyable at 48.4%."
"One of the best Blair Athols I’ve tried, bold and characterful."

Interesting Fact
Douglas Laing’s Red Wine Collection is a rare themed series, highlighting how different wine casks transform the profile of classic distilleries, making each bottling uniquely expressive.

Serving Suggestions
Sip neat for full fruit richness. Add a few drops of water to reveal more oak and spice. Excellent with dark chocolate, charcuterie, or berry-forward desserts.

Distillery Background
Blair Athol, based in Pitlochry, is one of the Highlands’ oldest distilleries, famed for its rich, nutty spirit shaped by their unique water source, the Allt Dour Burn. While much of their whisky goes into blends, independent bottlers like Douglas Laing reveal the distillery’s deeper character, complex, textured, and beautifully suited to red wine cask maturation.