Big Peat

Big Peat is very popular, something Douglas Laing understands very well. That explains why there are so many ‘limited releases’ like the Belgian Edition, London Edition, Edinburgh Edition, Swiss Edition, Hungary Edition and so on and so forth. I cannot imagine that there is a difference – bar the labels, obviously. I will try the general release, which is always available.

It is very sweet on the nose – think vanilla and yellow apples – with a bit of smoke bacon and some sea salt. There is a lightly medicinal touch and some cow stable. But the whole is quite soft.

The body is very good – full and round – and on the palate it truly is a peaty party. Loads of spices and smoke. Something that reminds me of stock fish and freshly laid asphalt. Capers and some oyster sap. The white fruit has a hard time shining though. Some citrus kicks in. It does feel quite young though.

The finish is medium long and spicy with some ashes at the death.

Nice Islay blend at an affordable price, that is quite easy to drink. It’s a touch better than I remember.