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Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke: First Peated Highland Malt

What happens when the beloved "mighty mouse" Highland Malt meets peat smoke for the first time? Timorous Beastie's bold new Phantom Smoke reveals the answer.
  • Hannah Thompson is a specialist whiskey educator and writer, passionate about bringing stories and understanding to more people.
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Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke: First Peated Highland Malt
Douglas Laing launches Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke, its first peated expression

Douglas Laing & Co. has unveiled Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke, a limited-edition Highland malt marking the first introduction of peat to the series. The release is restricted to 3,000 bottles globally and carries a UK recommended retail price of £60.00 ($78.00).

The new expression combines peated highland malt whisky with classic Timorous Beastie scotch; whisky that has undergone extended maturation in Crocodile Casks—heavily charred oak barrels.

“Phantom Smoke is a bold step for Timorous Beastie – a whisky that introduces peat for the very first time in the brand’s history,” said Scott Morrison, senior brand manager at Douglas Laing.

“Combined with the dramatic influence of Crocodile Casks, it offers a completely new flavor journey for our Highland malt, while retaining the sweet charm our Timorous Beastie fans know and love.”

Phantom Smoke is bottled at 54.2% ABV without coloring or chill-filtration, maintaining Douglas Laing’s commitment to natural whisky bottling.

Official tasting notes from the brand describe the nose as “crackling with smoldering peat, scorched spice, and charred oak.” While the palate reveals “layers of Highland sweetness emerge beneath the smoke, creating a bold yet balanced experience.”

The finish is characterized as “lingering, harmonious, and unforgettable – a whisky that echoes long after the final sip.”

Timorous Beastie Phantom Smoke features an eye catching smoky purple, wraparound label. The bespoke carton displays embossing detail in the style of crocodile skin, harking back to the heavily chared casks that are used to impart the series’ distinct style.

The expression is available through specialist spirits retailers globally and online at douglaslaing.com.

Douglas Laing & Co., established in 1948, is an independent Scotch whisky company known for its range of blended malts including Big Peat and Scallywag.

The Glasgow-based firm specializes in cask selection and non-chill filtered releases across multiple whisky regions.

Timorous Beastie, named after Robert Burns’ poem “To a Mouse,” typically focuses on Highland single malts without peat influence, making this release a significant departure for the brand.

Hannah Thompson

Hannah Thompson is a whiskey educator who helps consumers understand everything they need to know to make an informed decision about whiskey investment. She has been working in the secondary whiskey market since 2019 and joined The Whiskey Wash team when Mark Littler took over as Editor in Chief. Working with Mark Littler Hannah has amassed a broad range of whiskey knowledge and specializes in helping consumers make education driven cask investments. Hannah has authored two published works of fiction and her background in research and creative writing lets her create interesting and informative articles to give people a solid understanding of the world of whiskey.

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