Big Peat The Bulgaria Edition

Big Peat The Bulgaria 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. Refill ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, the wood Port Ellen is most often found in. Port Ellen was matured largely in refill casks, which sharpen the smoke and leave the malt a touch austere. 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. Bottlings carrying closed distillery malt grow rarer each year.

Reduced to 46%, it is mellow. An elegant, structured smoke runs over lemon peel and sea brine, with a gentle vanilla note. The mouthfeel is oily, the smoke carried on a waxy body. The finish runs oily, saline and slow. A bold Islay blended malt carrying a thread of legendary Port Ellen.