Big Peat The Rugby Edition 10 Years Old

Big Peat The Rugby Edition 10 Years Old is a blended malt Scotch from Douglas Laing, an all Islay vatting with Caol Ila at its core. Big Peat marries Islay single malts into a big, smoky whole, its cartoon fisherman a shelf favourite.

The Caol Ila within lends a clean, lemony Islay smoke rather than a heavy tarry one. A refill hogshead held it quietly, the spirit left to lead. A gentle vanillin sweetness from the oak balances the coastal phenols. Time in oak deepens the oily body while the maritime smoke stays bright. Active wood frames the smoke without smothering the citrus beneath. Refill oak lets the maritime peat and lemon of the spirit lead the way. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits so many wood types. The six tall stills sit behind picture windows looking out to Jura. Diageo's Special Releases have featured both peated and unpeated Caol Ila.

Undiluted at 48%, it is powerful. 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. Smoke and sea salt see out a long finish. A characterful smoky blended malt Scotch.