Big Peat The Sweden Edition (48%)

Big Peat The Sweden 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. A refill American oak cask held it, keeping the distillery character to the fore. Port Ellen was matured largely in refill casks, which sharpen the smoke and leave the malt a touch austere. Bottlings carrying closed distillery malt grow rarer each year. Douglas Laing has long specialised in the malts of the islands. A dram built for those who take their whisky smoky. The Port Ellen within ties it to one of Islay's lost legends.

At a hearty 48% it carries real weight. A refined peat reek runs over lemon peel and sea brine, with soft coconut and vanilla from the oak. The mouthfeel is oily, the smoke carried on a waxy body. The close is slow, soft peat over wax. A rich Islay dram threaded with rare Port Ellen.