When it comes to rare Scotch whisky, few names resonate with collectors and connoisseurs quite like Douglas Laing. Founded in Glasgow in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing, the company has built a global reputation as one of Scotland’s most respected independent bottlers.
Many whisky enthusiasts recognise Douglas Laing for its popular Remarkable Regional Malts series (including Big Peat and Timorous Beastie) as well as the long-running Old Malt Cask and XOP ranges. Yet above these sits something even more exclusive.
The Old & Rare Platinum Selection represents an entirely different level: ultra-limited, vintage single cask whiskies drawn from exceptional stocks, often many decades old and sometimes from distilleries that have long since closed.
The Emergence of the Platinum Selection
The Old & Rare Platinum Selection began appearing in the early 2000s, with notable releases emerging around 2003–2004. Early bottlings included remarkable expressions such as Glenlochy 1965 38 Year Old and Caperdonich 1967 36 Year Old.
These whiskies were presented as high-end, single cask releases bottled at natural strength and housed in distinctive wooden presentation boxes. From the outset, the range was aimed squarely at serious collectors and specialist whisky markets, particularly in Japan and Europe, where demand for rare Scotch was already booming.
A significant change occurred in 2013, when Stewart Laing and Fred Laing separated to form two independent companies. Stewart Laing founded Hunter Laing, taking with him the Old & Rare and Old Malt Cask labels, while Douglas Laing continued with its own portfolio of brands.
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What Makes the Platinum Selection Special?
The Platinum Selection stands apart from typical independent bottlings for several key reasons:
- Single Cask Releases – Every bottling comes from one individual cask, ensuring total uniqueness.
- Elite Distilleries – Many releases originate from highly regarded or closed distilleries.
- Natural Presentation – Non-chill filtered and bottled with natural colour to preserve character.
- Cask Strength – Whiskies are bottled undiluted, capturing their full intensity.
- Long Maturation – Many expressions are aged 30 years or more, with some clocking over four decades.
- Collector Packaging – Premium wood & leather presentation boxes and certificates of authenticity enhance their desirability.
Over time, the Old & Rare Platinum Selection developed a reputation as one of the most prestigious independent bottling series ever released.
Ten Exceptional Bottlings from the Platinum Selection
Below are ten of the most sought-after expressions from this remarkable range.
Ardbeg 1973 29 Year Old (2002)
A superb Islay single malt distilled in 1973 at Ardbeg and bottled in 2002 for the Platinum Selection.
Bottled at a natural 51.4% ABV, only 137 bottles were produced. This rare release received an impressive 95 points from WhiskyFun, highlighting the legendary quality of Ardbeg from this era.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £3,333.33 ($4,454.84, ₹4,10,383)
Ardbeg 1973 30 Year Old (2003)
Another extraordinary Ardbeg from the same vintage, this 30-year-old expression was bottled in 2003.
Released at 51.9% ABV, just 94 bottles were produced, each supplied with its original presentation case and certificate of authenticity. Widely considered one of the elite Islay bottlings, it scored 96 points on WhiskyFun.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £3,750 ($5,011.70, ₹4,61,681)
Ben Nevis 1963 40 Year Old (2004)
A beautifully aged Highland whisky distilled in 1963 and matured for four decades.
Bottled in 2004 at 45.7% ABV, this sherry-influenced single cask release produced 339 bottles, offering a rare glimpse of mature Ben Nevis from a bygone era.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £1,666.67 ($2,227.43, ₹2,05,192)
Brora 1972 31 Year Old (2003)
One of the standout whiskies from the legendary closed Brora distillery.
Distilled in 1972 and bottled in 2003, this 31-year-old Highland malt was drawn from a single cask at 49.3% ABV, yielding just 221 bottles. It earned an impressive 94 points from WhiskyFun.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £6,666.67 ($8,909.69, ₹8,20,767)
Clynelish 1971 35 Year Old (2006)
Distilled in 1971 during a particularly celebrated era for the distillery, this 35-year-old Clynelish was bottled in 2006.
Drawn from a single cask at 46.5% ABV, only 246 bottles were produced. The whisky scored 92 points from WhiskyFun, confirming its exceptional pedigree.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £5,000 ($6,682.26, ₹6,15,575)
Glen Grant 1976 30 Year Old (2006)
A deeply sherried Speyside whisky distilled in 1976 and matured for three decades.
Bottled in 2006 at 49.4% ABV, this single sherry cask yielded 308 bottles, showcasing the rich and elegant style Glen Grant can develop with long maturation.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £1,000 ($1,336.45, ₹1,23,115)
Glenrothes 1979 25 Year Old (2005)
Distilled in 1979 and bottled in 2005, this 25-year-old Speyside single malt matured in sherry wood, giving it a deep colour and rich character.
Bottled at 51.9% ABV, only 235 bottles were produced.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £1,666.67 ($2,227.43, ₹2,05,192)
Inchgower 1965 38 Year Old (2003)
An extremely rare Speyside whisky distilled in 1965 and matured for 38 years.
Bottled in 2003 at 50.4% ABV, this sherry-matured single cask release yielded 432 bottles.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,083.33 ($2,784.27, ₹2,56,489)
Macallan 1979 32 Year Old (2011)
A particularly special Platinum Selection release from The Macallan.
Distilled in June 1979 and bottled in July 2011, this 32-year-old whisky matured in a refill sherry butt and was bottled at 53.2% ABV. Only 212 bottles were released.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,500 ($3,341.13, ₹3,07,788)
Port Ellen 1979 29 Year Old (2009)
An ultra-rare bottling from the legendary closed Port Ellen distillery.
Distilled in December 1979 and bottled in February 2009, this 29-year-old Islay whisky was originally available only through World Duty Free.
Bottled at 53.8% ABV, just 261 bottles were produced, and the whisky scored 93 points on WhiskyFun.
The Whisky Vault Price: net £2,500 ($3,341.13, ₹3,07,788)
A Legendary Independent Bottling Series
Few independent whisky ranges have achieved the same level of reverence as the Old & Rare Platinum Selection. With its combination of exceptional casks, remarkable age statements and meticulous presentation, the series has become a benchmark for premium independent bottlings.
For collectors and enthusiasts alike, these whiskies represent a rich whisky history – many from distilleries or production eras that will never be seen again.
