Big Peat The Mitra Edition (48%)

Big Peat The Mitra 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. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon American oak, gentle wood beneath the peat. Port Ellen was matured largely in refill casks, which sharpen the smoke and leave the malt a touch austere. The Port Ellen within ties it to one of Islay's lost legends. 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.

At 48%, undiluted, it is bold and smoky. A gently medicinal smoke runs over a waxy, briny lift, with light oak sweetness underneath. The texture is oily and coating, the smoke threaded with sea salt. Embers and sea salt see out a long finish. A smoky, characterful blended malt built on Islay peat and Port Ellen.