Big Peat Anniversary Edition

Big Peat Anniversary Edition is a Douglas Laing blended malt, an Islay vatting with Port Ellen among its malts. Big Peat marries the smoky malts of Islay into one bold, characterful dram. Douglas Laing built Big Peat as a tribute to the smoke of Islay.

The category marries malts from different distilleries, here the peated malts of Islay. Built without an age statement, the rare Port Ellen at its heart brings a structured, briny smoke. An ex-Bourbon hogshead held it, the soft oak letting the Islay character lead. Port Ellen was matured largely in refill casks, which sharpen the smoke and leave the malt a touch austere. A modern Islay dram with a thread of the past inside. The Islay malts give it a smoke quite unlike a mainland blend. Vattings like this let the smoky malts of Islay shine together. The peat is the point here, drawn from Islay's smoky distilleries.

Bottled at a cask strength 48%, it is intense. A briny peat smoke runs over lemon peel and sea brine, with gentle oak vanilla beneath the smoke. The mouthfeel is oily, the smoke carried on a waxy body. Deep and elegant, the smoke lingers long. An assertive, coastal blended malt touched by Port Ellen smoke.