Brooding, coastal, and utterly captivating, Douglas Laing’s Old Particular “Midnight Series” Bunnahabhain 19 Year Old (Refill Butt, Vintage 2004) is Islay at its most introspective. Drawn from a single refill sherry butt and bottled at natural cask strength, this limited release captures the quiet power of Bunnahabhain: maritime salt, aged oak, and dark fruit wrapped in soft smoke. It’s a whisky for those who understand that Islay’s magic isn’t always in the roar of the sea, sometimes it’s in the whisper.

Douglas Laing’s Old Particular “Midnight Series” Islay – Bunnahabhain 19 Year Old (Refill Butt, Vintage 2004)
Brand: Douglas Laing | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 54.9% | Origin: Islay, Scotland | Volume: 700ml

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Elegant and deep. Notes of sea salt, roasted nuts, and cocoa blend with hints of dried fig, leather, and maritime oak. Beneath it all, a soft thread of Islay smoke, like embers fading on the shoreline.
Palate: Luxuriously layered. Sherry-drenched fruit and salted caramel lead into dark chocolate, tobacco, and gentle spice. The cask influence is rich but restrained, allowing Bunnahabhain’s creamy malt and coastal freshness to shine through.
Finish: Long, warm, and balanced. Lingering notes of oak, cocoa, and sea breeze intertwine, equal parts land and sea, dusk and firelight.

Production Details:
This single cask whisky was distilled at Bunnahabhain in 2004 and aged for 19 years in a refill sherry butt, carefully selected by Douglas Laing & Co. for the Midnight Series. Bottled at natural cask strength, non-chill filtered, and natural in color, it exemplifies Douglas Laing’s devotion to authenticity. The refill cask allows the distillery’s maritime DNA to remain front and center, enriched by subtle sherry undertones that add depth without overpowering.

Perfect For:
A contemplative evening, the kind spent by the window as rain brushes the glass. Ideal for seasoned whisky lovers seeking complexity without aggression. Best enjoyed neat, allowing every coastal and sherried nuance to unfold slowly.

Expert Notes:
Whisky reviewers hail this release as “a quiet triumph of balance,” praising its interplay of maritime freshness and aged sherry richness. The Midnight Series has been lauded for spotlighting the darker, more soulful sides of its chosen distilleries and this Bunnahabhain is its crown jewel.

Customer Reviews:
“Refined, coastal, and hauntingly beautiful. A Bunnahabhain that feels timeless.”  Adrian P.
“The texture is phenomenal, silky, smoky, and perfectly integrated.”   Laura F.
“It’s like dusk by the sea, complex, calm, and deeply satisfying.”   Michael D.

Interesting Fact:
Though many think of Bunnahabhain as a non-peated Islay whisky, some casks like this one reveal the faintest trace of smoke, a nod to the distillery’s past when peat occasionally touched its spirit. This delicate smokiness adds an atmospheric layer, amplifying the whisky’s coastal serenity.

Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy neat or with a few drops of water to reveal layers of salted caramel, fruit, and spice. Pair with a square of dark chocolate or a slice of aged cheddar for an indulgent after-dinner moment.

Distillery Background:
Founded in 1881, Bunnahabhain Distillery sits on Islay’s rugged northeastern coast, where sea spray and oak casks meet in quiet harmony. Known for its unpeated style and maritime finesse, it has earned a cult following among whisky purists. Through Douglas Laing’s Old Particular, this 19-year-old single cask offers a rare glimpse into Bunnahabhain’s soulful side, untouched, unblended, and profoundly expressive.