Ängstliches Biest

Timorous Beastie is a small-batch blended malt Scotch whisky from Douglas Laing & Co., a respected independent bottler based in Glasgow with a history dating back to 1948. Launched as part of their “Remarkable Regional Malts” series, Timorous Beastie celebrates the character of the Scottish Highlands, bringing together single malts from some of the region’s most renowned distilleries into one expressive, malt-only blend.

The name “Timorous Beastie” comes from Robert Burns’ famous poem To a Mouse, in which the Scottish poet describes a small, shy field mouse as a “wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beastie.” The name is a playful nod to the whisky’s gentle-sounding title, as the liquid inside is anything but timid, full of bold Highland character and complexity.

Douglas Laing’s approach to blended malt (also known as vatted malt) is to combine 100% single malts from different distilleries, without the addition of grain whisky, to create a layered flavour profile that reflects a region’s style. In the case of Timorous Beastie, the blend features Highland single malts from distilleries such as Dalmore, Glen Garioch, Blair Athol, and others (exact components are undisclosed but well speculated among whisky fans).

The whisky is bottled non-chill filtered and at natural colour, ensuring that all the natural oils, esters, and flavour compounds remain intact for maximum mouthfeel and authenticity. Standard bottlings sit at 46.8% ABV, offering plenty of flavour concentration, while limited editions, such as cask strength releases and extra-aged variants (e.g., 18-year-old, 25-year-old), provide an even more intense experience.

Flavour-wise, Timorous Beastie is true to its Highland roots. On the nose, it often delivers honey, malted barley, vanilla, and gentle spice, with floral and heather notes adding aromatic lift. The palate is typically sweet and rich, with layers of golden syrup, cereal, citrus zest, nutmeg, and a touch of oak. The finish is long and warming, often with lingering honeyed malt and gentle spice. Older age statement versions add depth, with more pronounced oak, dried fruit, and a slightly waxy texture.

Special editions of Timorous Beastie often explore different cask maturations, such as sherry, port, or rum cask finishes, adding unique twists to the core Highland profile. These limited runs are bottled in small quantities and are popular with collectors due to Douglas Laing’s reputation for sourcing high-quality casks and maintaining transparency in production.

As part of Douglas Laing’s “Remarkable Regional Malts” series, Timorous Beastie stands alongside other regionally inspired blends like Big Peat (Islay), Scallywag (Speyside), and Rock Island (Island malts). This line up has been praised for offering a way to explore the distinct regional characteristics of Scotch whisky in expertly crafted, accessible formats.

Our Timorous Beastie selection includes the classic 46.8% Highland blended malt as well as special limited editions and older age statements. Whether you’re seeking an everyday Highland dram with a touch of complexity or a rare bottling that highlights the blending art at its finest, Timorous Beastie delivers a whisky that’s as full of personality as its literary namesake.