I'll admit, when The Epicurean landed on my desk with an Amarone cask finish, my first thought was: here we go, another wine-cask gimmick. But Douglas Laing have been doing interesting things with their Remarkable Regional Malts range for a while now, and this particular expression deserves more than a cynical eyebrow raise.
The Epicurean Amarone Cask Finish is a Lowland blended malt — and that qualifier matters. We're not talking grain-heavy blended Scotch here. This is malt-only, drawn from Lowland distilleries, then finished in casks that previously held Amarone della Valpolicella, that rich, partially-dried-grape Italian red. It's a bold choice for what is traditionally Scotland's lightest whisky region, and it works precisely because of that contrast. The gentle, grassy Lowland character gives the Amarone influence room to breathe rather than fighting it.
At 48% ABV and non-chill filtered, Douglas Laing have given this enough muscle to carry the wine cask influence without it becoming soupy or over-extracted. That's a production decision I respect — too many wine finishes at 40% end up tasting like someone dropped a grape lollipop into a dram. The higher strength here keeps everything in proportion.
The NAS designation won't bother anyone who's been paying attention to Douglas Laing's approach. They've always been blenders first, focused on flavour profile over age statements, and the Remarkable Regional Malts series is built on that philosophy. What you're buying is a house style — Lowland elegance with a specific cask influence — not a number on a box.
Tasting Notes
I'd rather not fabricate specific notes where the whisky should speak for itself. What I will say is this: expect the Amarone cask to bring warmth and dried-fruit richness to a Lowland malt base that would otherwise lean light and floral. The interplay between Italian wine cask and Scottish malt at this strength suggests a whisky that's richer than your typical Lowland fare but not as heavy as a sherry bomb. It sits in genuinely interesting territory.
The Verdict
At £61.75, this sits in competitive space. You're paying a premium over the standard Epicurean bottling, and the Amarone finish needs to justify that gap. I think it does. The wine cask finishing market is crowded with lazy, short-finish releases that taste like afterthoughts. Douglas Laing have form in this area — their cask selection across the Remarkable Regional Malts range has been consistently thoughtful — and the 48% ABV tells you they've taken this seriously rather than treating it as a quick flavour shortcut.
For anyone who finds Lowland malts too delicate or who thinks blended malts lack character, this is a genuine counter-argument. It's approachable enough for a weeknight pour but has enough complexity to reward slower drinking. An 8 out of 10 — a well-executed idea from a company that understands what cask finishing should actually achieve.
Best Served
Pour it neat at room temperature and give it five minutes to open up. The 48% ABV means a few drops of water won't collapse the flavour — try it both ways. If you're feeling adventurous, this would pair remarkably well with a hard Italian cheese, a chunk of Parmigiano Reggiano or aged pecorino. The Amarone cask influence and Italian cheese share enough dried-fruit and savoury DNA to make that pairing genuinely rewarding rather than gimmicky. Avoid ice — you'll mute exactly the characteristics you're paying the premium for.
