Stewart Hunter Laing, founder of independent bottler Hunter Laing & Co and the Islay-based Ardnahoe Distillery, has passed away at the age of 79. Stewart worked in the Scotch whisky industry for more than 60 years. A period of apprenticeship as a young man at Bruichladdich Distillery on Islay was followed by further commercial training at Ballantine’s. The bulk of his career, however, was spent at Douglas Laing & Co…