Independent Scotch whisky company Douglas Laing & Co has launched a rum cask-finished expression in its Rock Island brand.

The new Rock Island Rum Cask Edition utilises rum casks sourced from Caribbean brand Plantation Rum, owned by French spirits group Maison Ferrand. The casks used hail from the islands of Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad, while the whisky itself is a blended malt comprising single cask single malts from Orkney, Arran, Jura, and Islay. It is bottled at 46.8% ABV without added colour or chill filtration.

Blended malt brand Rock Island was introduced to Douglas Laing's Remarkable Regional Malts collection in 2015 as a platform to celebrate the whiskies of Scotland's islands. Previous expressions have included sherry cask editions, a cask-strength bottling, and 2022's Mezcal cask-finished whisky.

Rock Island brand manager Emma Reid said: “The Rock Island brand is deeply cherished at Douglas Laing, as it continues to embrace the very best of Scotland’s whisky-making islands. We are so excited to have teamed up with Plantation Rum, in whose casks our island malt has been finished.

“This expression of Rock Island highlights a harmony of flavour, from the peat-smoked shores of Scotland to the warm climes of the Caribbean, as it brings together two iconic spirits.”

Jonas Indesteege, brand manager at Plantation Rum, said: “During his many trips around the world, Alexandre Gabriel, creator of Plantation Rum, jumps at the chance to discover the production techniques, traditions, and innovations of his peers – distillers, brewers, or passionate wine growers. These encounters enable him to forge true friendships and, fortunately for lovers of unique spirits, to develop exclusive collaborations and experiments that give birth to deliciously unexpected rums brimming with originality. While visiting Douglas Laing & Co he found a true connection which was the start of an exceptional partnership.”

The Rock Island Rum Cask Edition is expected to retail at £65 and will be available globally.