Big Peat

The second whisky in our Peat tasting (after Bruichladdich Peat) is Douglas Laing's Big Peat. Big Peat contains whisky from Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen. Since its launch in 2009, the Big Peat has won numerous awards, including the Whisky Magazine best blended malt Scotch of 2010 and Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible best blended malt Scotch of 2011 (with a score of 96). Less sweet than the laddy, this is a more traditional islay whisy and a lovely dram. However, it is not what you would call a kickass peaty dram. Rather, its a bit more grown up, and perhaps a little subtle. Personally, it loses a few points for this, but then I have no subtlety. I would like to taste their recent cask strength version, which I guess might press more of my buttons.

WTC Tasting Notes:

Nose: Unsalted butter. Sooty. Dry and bitter peat waiting to pounce. Taste: A bitter and dry peat explodes onto the palate before softening to a sooty and oaky bitterness at the end.

Tony