1945
Humble Beginnings
After serving with the Royal Air Force throughout World War Two, Fred Douglas Laing works with an American friend largely to develop the King of Scots brand to sell throughout Europe and the USA.
1948
During this period, FDL takes sole ownership of the business. Fred Douglas Laing works to set up preferred filling programs with Distilleries throughout Scotland. Many of these deals remain in place today, some based on a handshake over 70 years on.
Family Values
Fred finally joins his father, Fred Douglas Laing, and begins work at Douglas Laing & Co, setting in motion the wheels that would eventually see Fred Jr. spearhead the family business.
1972
1990
Fit For Royalty
Fred Laing meets Her Majesty The Queen to accept The Queen’s Award for Export, a particular honour with the award celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Smell Smoke?
2009 marks the arrival of Big Peat – a marriage of Islay’s finest Single Malts. Big Peat quickly amasses a cult following of “pals” and scoops up an enviable collection of Whisky awards.
2009
2013
This year welcomes Fred’s daughter, Cara Laing, and her husband, Chris Leggat into the business as Director of Whisky and Commercial Director respectively. Adding to the Exceptional Single Cask family, Old Particular is launched globally with resounding success. This year also sees the commemoration of the Laing family Fox Terrier with the launch of Scallywag.
2014
A Wee, Sleekit Beastie
2014 paves the way for the arrival of the heavenly honeyed Highlander, Timorous Beastie. In the same year, the “big brother” to the Old Particular range, XOP, launches as a leading luxury Single Cask brand - much to the delight of many Whisky connoisseurs around the world.
We Became Distillers
This year we take a monumental leap, adding ‘distiller’ to our credentials as we acquire Perthshire’s Strathearn Distillery. A pioneer of craft distilling, we may be one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries, but we produce one of our country’s mightiest Malts.
2019
Do Business With Us
We're happy to receive enquiries concerning our international business, job opportunities or other matters.