10 Years

Scarabus is Hunter Laing's enigmatic expression — an Islay single malt whose distillery of origin remains deliberately undisclosed. This mystery suits the island well, where peated whisky has been the tradition for generations. The 10 Years has matured in a combination of refill, ex-bourbon, and new oak casks, a blend that preserves Islay's characteristic smoke without overwhelming the spirit.

Hunter Laing was founded in 2013 by Stewart Laing, who had spent over 40 years managing Douglas Laing before the family split. The independent bottler is known for releasing individual casks without chill-filtering, preserving full flavour. This 10 Years is bottled at a welcoming 46% ABV — strong enough to reveal its complexity, yet approachable for everyday drinking.

On the nose, malty notes dominate, grounded by the subtle smoke characteristic of Islay. The palate follows suit, with malt and smoke in measured balance. This is not a heavily peated dram, but rather a thoughtful expression of what Islay's terroir can deliver when restrained.