Independent bottler
Rock Island
Rock Island is a blended malt Scotch whisky from Douglas Laing's Remarkable Regional Malts range. It is designed to evoke the maritime character of the Scottish isles by combining single malts from distilleries on Islay, Arran, Jura, Orkney and other islands.
- Scotland
- 5 products
The story
Originally launched in 2015 as part of Douglas Laing's Remarkable Regional Malts series, the blend was initially marketed under the name 'Rock Oyster'. From 2018/2019 the name was changed to 'Rock Island' to emphasize the reference to the Scottish isles and simplify brand communication. Over the years the range expanded with age-statement expressions (e.g. 10 and 14 years) and special releases finished in various types of casks.
Production philosophy
To offer a maritime portrait of the Scottish isles through the careful assembly of selected single malts, highlighting the briny and smoky character typical of this category with both core and limited edition bottlings.
Territory
Scottish islands (particularly Islay, Arran, Jura, Orkney and other island producers)
Production method
Assembly and vatting of single malts purchased from various distilleries on the Scottish islands; bottles are produced and marketed by Douglas Laing as an independent bottler.
Distillation
Does not distill in-house: production is based on assembling (vatting) single malts supplied by island distilleries.
Ageing
Traditional aging in oak casks for age-statement expressions; special editions finished or matured in ex-sherry, ex-rum, ex-tequila or ex-mezcal casks depending on the release.
Characteristics
- Type
- Independent bottler
- Categories
- whisky
- blended malt
- island whisky
- Douglas Laing brand
- independent bottler
- Raw materials
- malted barley
- Casks and ageing vessels
- oak casks (general)
- ex-sherry casks
- ex-rum casks
- ex-tequila casks
- ex-mezcal casks
- Representative products
- Rock Island 10 years Blended Malt Scotch Whisky - 70cl - Boxed
- Rock Island 14 years Sherry Limited Edition - 70cl - Boxed
- Rock Island Blended Malt Scotch Whisky - 70cl - Boxed
- Rock Island Rum Cask Limited Edition - 70cl - Boxed
- Rock Island Sherry Whisky - 70cl - Boxed
What makes it distinctive
- Part of Douglas Laing's Remarkable Regional Malts range.
- Blend inspired by the maritime character of the Scottish isles (Islay, Arran, Jura, Orkney).
- Available in core expressions and limited editions (10 years, 14 years Sherry, Rum Cask, etc.).
- Rebrand from 'Rock Oyster' to 'Rock Island' occurred between 2018 and 2019.