Only 148 bottles of the Black Series will be released

Award-winning Scotch whisky creator Douglas Laing & Co has announced a brand extension to the Xtra Old Particular Single Cask Scotch Whisky range: XOP The Black Series.

The new, luxury packaging employs monochromatic colourways complemented by gold foil detail, said to honour the super-premium Single Casks planned. Each bottle is filled by hand and features an embossed metallised label, glass stopper and the signatures of the company’s Fred and Cara Laing.

A striking black moleskin display case carries a certificate of authenticity alongside the antique Scotch Whisky. The inaugural cask to be bottled under the new alias is an antique ex-Sherry hogshead, distilled at the Springbank Distillery in 1994. Bottled at Cask Strength (47.7%) over 25 years later, Douglas Laing & Co note that ‘this rare whisky has taken on an exceptionally rich, dark colour, an inviting hint as to dark fruited, subtly smoked, leathery and chocolatey spirit within’.

Family-owned since its inception in 1948, today the leading independent Scotch whisky firm is spearheaded by second and third generation members, Fred and daughter Cara Laing.

Cara Laing, director of whisky, said: ‘This Springbank “black beauty” is an extraordinary encapsulation of everything our family business proudly represents: Quality, luxury and the utmost attention to detail. The maiden release in this new Single Cask Series certainly sets an exceptionally high benchmark for future bottlings, and we are poised to rise to that challenge.’

XOP The Black Series Springbank Vintage 1994 is available throughout Europe and Asia with an expected retail price of £800. Just 148 bottles exist.