Big Peat 10 Years Whisky Festival Massen

Big Peat 10 Years Whisky Festival Massen is a blended malt Scotch from Douglas Laing, an all Islay vatting with Caol Ila at its core. The Big Peat label gathers Islay malts into one peaty vatting, with the cartoon fisherman on the front.

Caol Ila's elegant smoke gives the blend its coastal, citrus edge. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. The cool Islay air gives a slow, steady maturation by the shore. Caol Ila's smoke leans to lemon, olive oil and brine rather than tar or iodine. The clean, lemony smoke has made it a favourite of blenders for generations. The spirit's lightness lets sherry, wine and bourbon casks all show through. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. Maturation by the sea gives the malt its mineral, sea spray character. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries.

At a full 54.4% it is bold and oily. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. Soft smoke and citrus sit behind the cask. A long, briny finish ends on lemon and soft smoke. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.