Big Peat Christmas Edition

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.

Caol Ila's elegant smoke gives the blend its coastal, citrus edge. A sherry cask gave dried fruit and a dark, nutty sweetness. Long ageing turns the young, sharp peat into a soft, coastal smoke. The malt is medium peated, giving a cleaner smoke than the south shore Islays. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Cool, damp warehousing slows the loss of the angel's share over the years. From a small Victorian works it grew into one of Scotland's biggest malt distilleries. Smoked citrus and a saline minerality are the hallmarks of the make. The oily texture comes from the spirit cut, the cask adding depth around it.

At 54.8%, undiluted, it is bold and clean. A coastal peat smoke runs through it, with lemon, brine and a soft oil over a sweet fruit. A sea salt and an olive oil note sit under the smoke. Lemon, soft ash and sea salt see it out. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.