The 2025 London Spirits Competition has named Douglas Laing & Co as Whisky Producer of the Year, celebrating the Glasgow-based independent bottler’s consistent excellence across multiple Scotch whisky expressions.

Renowned for their small batch releases, regional malts, and single cask bottlings, Douglas Laing & Co impressed the competition’s expert judges with entries that captured the depth, character, and complexity that define great Scotch whisky. This award recognizes not just a single label, but the producer’s overall mastery across a range of whiskies.

“Our Whisky Producer of the Year award is reserved for a company whose collection of entries performs outstandingly well across all judging criteria,” said Sid Patel, CEO of the London Spirits Competition. “Douglas Laing & Co delivered remarkable whiskies that struck the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Their commitment to authenticity and cask integrity was clear in every sip. The products they submitted won the highest average whiskey score”

Winning Whiskies That Set the Standard

Douglas Laing & Co secured top medals for a number of expressions, including:

Scallywag Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky - Winter Edition, 95 Points and Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey Of The Year

Image: Scallywag Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky

Judges comments on Scallywag Speyside Malt Scotch Whisky: Sherry cask aromas and vanilla lead the nose, the palate shows sharp fruit, earthy smoke and layered spice, with a warm and complex finish full of character.

Old Particular Red Wine Cask Collection - Girvan 16-Year Old, 95 Points

Image: Old Particular Red Wine Cask Collection

Judges comment on Old Particular Red Wine Cask Collection: Honey and soft spice on the nose, the palate is rounded with dried fruit and a subtle wine cask note, followed by a smooth and well-balanced finish.

Big Peat Blended Malt Scotch Whisky - 15th Anniversary Edition, 93 Points

Image: Big Peat Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Judges comment on Big Peat Blended Malt Scotch Whisky: tasting notes “Dark chocolate, dates and sweet smoke on the nose, the palate delivers oily peat, coffee, and gentle iodine, finishing rich with balanced sweetness.

Each entry was judged by a panel of top on-trade buyers, bartenders, and spirits experts who scored products on Quality, Value, and Packaging—ensuring every medal reflects true market appeal.

A Legacy of Independent Bottling

Founded in 1948, Douglas Laing & Co has built a reputation as one of Scotland’s leading independent whisky companies, known for its deep stocks of aged single malts and commitment to showcasing regional styles. Their philosophy—bottling whisky without colouring or chill-filtration—has earned them a loyal following among whisky enthusiasts and professionals alike.

This 2025 Whisky Producer of the Year accolade is a testament to Douglas Laing’s continued excellence in delivering whiskies that are both characterful and commercially relevant in today’s evolving spirits landscape.