Douglas Laing – Rock Island (4.5L)
Brand: Douglas Laing | Category: Blended Malt Scotch | ABV: 46.8% | Origin: Islands of Scotland | Vol: 4.5L

Intro/Heritage:
This isn’t a bottle, it’s a statement. Rock Island in its colossal 4.5L form is a maritime beast, made for those who don’t just sip whisky, they command it. A marriage of malts from Islay, Arran, Jura, and Orkney, this is the ocean’s voice bottled at full volume, created by Douglas Laing to celebrate the wild spirit of Scotland’s whisky-producing isles.

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Like standing on a sea cliff during a storm, salt spray, smoked driftwood, and hints of honey-glazed ham.
Palate: Creamy and briny with black pepper heat, toasted oak, and flashes of citrus oil. A texture that rolls over the tongue like waves crashing ashore.
Finish: Long and satisfyingly rugged. Maritime peat and cracked sea salt linger, leaving a memory of the coast.

Production Details:
Douglas Laing carefully selected single malts from four iconic island distilleries, blended without chill-filtration or added color. It’s coastal, unfiltered, and authentic, the whisky equivalent of a wind-whipped voyage through Scotland’s rugged archipelagos.

Perfect For:
Designed for hosting with flair. Picture a lavish celebration by the water, grilled seafood, fire pits, and stories deep into the night. Or pour it at the head of the table and let it do the talking.

Expert Notes:
Rock Island has consistently earned praise for its balance of bold peat and refined sweetness. The 4.5L format is exceptionally rare and often seen only in high-end bars or collectors’ vaults. It’s not just whisky, it’s centerpiece-worthy.

Customer Reviews:
🗨️ “Had it once at a beach house party — unforgettable. And yes, we finished it.”
🗨️ “Massive bottle, massive flavor. It’s the smoky dram that keeps on giving.”
🗨️ “Feels like a lighthouse keeper’s reward. Briny and brilliant.”

Interesting Fact:
Originally named Rock Oyster, the whisky was rebranded as Rock Island to better reflect the geography and essence of the islands it celebrates and avoid confusion with mollusks. Same liquid, bolder name.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve in small Glencairn glasses, neat, and let it breathe, the ocean opens up with each swirl. For a lighter take, a few drops of water will reveal hidden citrus and soft vanilla underneath the smoke.

Distillery Background:
Douglas Laing & Co. has been an independent bottler since 1948, renowned for crafting regional blended malts that capture the soul of Scotland’s whisky-producing terroirs. Rock Island is their tribute to the islands, wild, salty, and unrepentantly bold.