Blending Tradition and Innovation: Cara Laing on the Craft and Legacy of Douglas Laing

27 aug Blending Tradition and Innovation: Cara Laing on the Craft and Legacy of Douglas Laing

For more than seven decades, Douglas Laing & Co. has been a name synonymous with independent Scotch whisky bottling and blending. Today, under the stewardship of Cara Laing, the family business continues to uphold its heritage while embracing modern perspectives. From the blending table to global markets, her vision bridges the pioneering work of her grandfather and father with a new era of creativity, transparency and collaboration.

Discovering the Art of Blending

Cara Laing didn’t always view whisky blending as artistry. That changed when she began working directly with casks, learning how each one brings its own nuance and demands careful balance. Tasting side by side revealed the craftsmanship required to harmonise flavors — a revelation that turned the family trade into a personal passion. Where her father and grandfather often relied on instinct alone, Cara prefers a more collaborative approach, welcoming input from blending teams, sales colleagues, and even family members, while never compromising the core values of quality and respect for the spirit.

The Craft Behind the Casks

When evaluating a barrel, quality comes first. A cask must sing on its own before it can add depth to a blend. Beyond quality, Cara looks for character — whether it reflects its distillery or region and whether it can contribute something distinctive. The process is as much intuition and sensory memory as it is technical data. She describes it as “a marriage of all three,” where chemistry, instinct and experience combine to create harmony in the glass. Sometimes, surprises emerge: an unexpected burst of tropical fruit or spice that forces a new direction, proving that even the most seasoned blender must remain open to discovery.

Shaping Distinct Brand Identities

Douglas Laing’s portfolio is a colourful cast of characters: Big Peat, Scallywag, Timorous Beastie, Rock Island and more. Each has a DNA that never wavers — smoky Islay power for Big Peat, Speyside’s rich sherried charm for Scallywag, Highland honeyed warmth for Timorous Beastie. Evolution comes not from altering their foundations but through limited editions, creative packaging and experimenting with new cask types. This balance of consistency and freshness keeps loyal fans engaged while inviting new drinkers into the fold.

Relationships That Shape the Whisky

Generational trust remains central to Douglas Laing’s ability to source exceptional whisky. Cara acknowledges that rising global demand has made it harder to secure diversity and quality, yet long-standing relationships with distilleries continue to open doors. While discretion prevents her from naming names, she highlights strengthened ties across Islay, Speyside and the Islands, allowing access to casks that showcase Scotland’s extraordinary breadth of flavour. Balancing transparency with confidentiality remains essential — revealing enough to satisfy consumer curiosity while safeguarding the trust that keeps rare casks flowing.

Carrying the Family Legacy Forward

For Cara, the family’s pioneering spirit lies in its uncompromising honesty. From her grandfather’s era, Douglas Laing refused to add colouring or chill-filter whisky, and insisted on bottling at higher strength — practices that were ahead of their time but are now industry hallmarks. Those principles remain non-negotiable. What she has added is a more outward-facing approach: stronger design, digital communication, and global activations that make the brands more engaging for a wider audience. Her goal is to modernise without losing the independence and authenticity that define the Laing legacy.

Responding to a New Generation of Drinkers

Whisky enthusiasts today are more adventurous than ever. They demand transparency, bold flavours and a sense of story. Cara sees this curiosity not as a challenge but an opportunity: limited editions and cask strength releases satisfy those eager for experimentation, while core expressions remain consistent and true to brand DNA. Global exclusives may surface occasionally, but integrity comes first — a Big Peat must always be recognisably smoky, just as Rock Island must carry its maritime soul.

Personal Touches and Memorable Moments

Asked about her most memorable creation, Cara points not to a blend but to the launch of Strathearn Single Malt, where fine-tuning casks for the inaugural release became a labour of love. She recalls the pride of tasting that whisky months later at a launch in Singapore, a reminder of the personal journey behind every bottle. Away from Douglas Laing’s range, she gravitates to Bowmore, shaped by a formative three-year stint at the distillery. And in lighter moments, she laughs about her young daughter already giving “expert” tasting notes on Scallywag — proof that the next generation may be ready to carry the torch.

Looking to the Future

As Douglas Laing prepares for its next chapter, Cara hopes to pass on more than just exceptional whisky. She envisions a legacy of independence, pride, and responsibility, rooted in a deep respect for Scotland’s whisky heritage. With her blend of tradition and innovation, it’s clear the family name will continue to resonate — not just on the label, but in the spirit of every dram.