Big Peat The Bastard Edition

Big Peat The Bastard 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.

Caol Ila's elegant smoke gives the blend its coastal, citrus edge. First fill bourbon gave it a fuller vanilla and a touch of coconut. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. Sea air works into the maturing casks, lending a briny, coastal lift. The original Victorian distillery was almost entirely rebuilt in the modern era. The make balances phenolic smoke against a bright, oily citrus. A clean smoke and a coastal salt define the distillery style. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke.

At its natural 53.6% it is concentrated. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. An oily smoke coats the palate, citrus and brine behind. The finish is long, smoky and citrussy. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.