Big Peat The Mitra Edition

Big Peat The Mitra Edition is a blended malt Scotch from Douglas Laing, an all Islay vatting with Caol Ila at its core. Big Peat marries Islay single malts into a big, smoky whole, its cartoon fisherman a shelf favourite.

The Caol Ila within lends a clean, lemony Islay smoke rather than a heavy tarry one. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak quiet behind the spirit. The peat here is medium rather than heavy, so fruit and smoke share the glass. A slow maturation in the cool island air keeps the spirit fresh and oily. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. Water falls to the distillery from Loch nam Ban in the hills above. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. Much of the spirit leaves the island by sea to mature on the mainland. It was founded by Hector Henderson and later passed to the Distillers Company.

Undiluted at 55.3%, it is powerful. 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.