Big Peat Christmas Edition (55.7%)

Big Peat Christmas Edition 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.

The Caol Ila within lends a clean, lemony Islay smoke rather than a heavy tarry one. Years in ex-Bourbon wood lent a soft vanilla and a coastal calm. The lighter style means the cask and the citrus speak alongside the peat. The warehouses are ranged along the rocky shore at the water's edge. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Long fermentations build the fruity, citrus notes that sit beneath the smoke. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Olive oil and lemon sit at the heart of the Caol Ila character.

At its natural 55.7% it is concentrated. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. Smoked lemon and sea salt build over an oily body. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.