Big Peat The Taiwan Edition

Big Peat The Taiwan Edition is a Douglas Laing Islay blended malt built around peated malts, Port Ellen included. The blend draws the peated names of Islay together into a single smoky whole. The range has grown into a cult of its own among peat lovers.

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. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood holding back so the peat speaks. The slow loss of the angel's share, a percent or two each year, has concentrated the liquid over decades. 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 its natural 53.4% it is rich and briny. Crystallised lemon and a salty tang ride on embers of Islay peat, with a quiet sweetness from the refill cask. A crystallised lemon and a saline tang lift the smoke. A long, briny finish smoulders to the end. A bold Islay blended malt carrying a thread of legendary Port Ellen.