Big Peat Christmas Edition (52.8%)

Big Peat Christmas Edition is a blended malt Scotch from Douglas Laing, an all Islay vatting with Caol Ila at its core. Big Peat brings together malts from across Islay, Caol Ila among them, for an unapologetically smoky dram.

Islay malts bring the smoke, the lighter Caol Ila style keeping it clean rather than heavy. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. Tall stills and a clean cut give the spirit its oily, lemony lightness. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. Its spirit also feeds blends such as Bell's and Black Bottle. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. The spirit's high notes of lemon and grass survive even long maturation.

At a full 52.8% it is bold and oily. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. Smoke, lemon and a saline minerality fill the middle. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.