Big Peat Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – Douglas Laing (700ml)

Volume: 700ml          ABV: 46%          Age: No Age Statement          Country: Scotland

This blended malt is a standout along side Douglas Laing’s Regional collection of blended whiskies. With its Islay character and a little sweetness this small batch bottling is produced without colouring or chill-filtration and contains Islay Malt Whiskies from distilleries such as Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and even has whiskies included from the now closed and much sought after Port Ellen distillery.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Now if you’re a fan of Caol Ila, click ‘add to cart’ as there is a distinct Coal Ila aroma. You can sense that the other distillery bottling’s are present but I find that the Caol Ila is the dominant character here. Like most Islay whiskies we find citrus, peat smoke with saltiness but with the Big Peat there’s a touch of brine and fresh leather. The sweetness ties all these notes together to give a very interesting nose that you can sit on for a while, much like a Lagavulin 16 years old.

Palate: The palate brings citrus pear and apple with the Caol Ila ash we have grown to love and shows spice and salty liquorice. It is young so give a little bit of a punch. However the young whisky and the sweetness are very well matched and deliver a really excellent whisky on the palate.

Finish: The medium finish does not give us the smoke and ash that we expect to linger with an Islay whisky but instead the sweetness and vanillas linger and the smoke dries nicely on the tongue. An excellent blended whisky which does show that it is young and it certainly is smooth and delicious.