This year's is the sixth annual iteration of the Chocolate Edition, which utilises spirit fully matured in ex-sherry casks to produce a cocoa-rich character.
For the 2023 Chocolate Edition, Douglas Laing selected ex-Pedro Ximénez and ex-oloroso sherry casks which were married together to create a whisky that the company says is full bodied with notes of dark chocolate, red berries, and caramels. It has been bottled at 48% ABV without colouring or chill filtration. The packaging bears a hand-drawn illustration from Douglas Laing's head of creative Claire Coetzee.
Scott Morrison, brand manager at Douglas Laing, said: “This special bottling is certainly one that we have a lot of fun with each year as we strive for chocolate perfection. It’s been great to watch the series grow in popularity and demand over the years, going from 300 bottles in 2018 to our now 4,200-bottle sixth annual release. Featuring a phenomenal hand-drawn design combined with the exceptionally moreish liquid, this bottling is a truly special offering."
The sixth Scallywag Chocolate Edition is limited to 4,200 bottles globally with suggested retail price of £60 (€68) per bottle.
The original Scallywag was a small-batch bottling launched in 2013 as part of Douglas Laing's Remarkable Regional Malts range.