Big Peat Hualien Taroko Taiwan Exclusive

Big Peat Hualien Taroko Taiwan Exclusive, a Douglas Laing vatting of Islay malts, holds Port Ellen among its components. It is built to show the big, smoky heart of Islay in a single glass. It carries a piece of closed distillery Islay in every bottle.

It brings together single malts from across Islay rather than one distillery alone. Built without an age statement, Port Ellen lends the vatting a graceful, maritime smoke. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Refill wood flatters Port Ellen, holding back the vanilla so the smoke and citrus speak. Smoke, salt and citrus run through its Islay character. It wears the big, coastal smoke of the island with pride. A modern Islay dram with a thread of the past inside. The Islay malts give it a smoke quite unlike a mainland blend.

At 49.1%, undiluted, it is bold and smoky. Crystallised lemon and a salty tang ride on drifting Islay peat smoke, with a thread of vanilla from the bourbon wood. A crystallised lemon and a saline tang lift the smoke. It fades on smoke, citrus and a saline tang. A big, smoky Islay vatting with closed distillery Port Ellen inside.