Douglas Laing Big Peat Christmas Edition 2017
54.1% ABV - Islay, Scotland
Nose: PEAT! Heavy.. It’s that tarry rope, and that earthiness.. There is also a touch of marine air. It’s everything you want it to be.
Taste: Living up to its name – there is lots of peat flavour here. It’s vegetal. It’s a touch of citrus (often the kind I label for signature Ardbeg). There might even be some sweet chocolate hiding here.
Finish: Enter the youthful menthol flavours – noted without water addition, mind you. An everlasting peat smoke. And that citrus is fading in and out.
This whisky here is all that you might want from a dram of whisky, if you live for peat. (It does claim to sample each of Islay!) It likely will be among top scores for a long time to come. It’s delicious, desirable, and I’m excited to share this with friends and spirits appreciators.
Tasted 07 January 2018.
93/100
Detailed Rating Information...
90+: Fantastic whisky; highly recommended.
My favourite whiskies – I might have more than one bottle if the price is right and the supply is limited! The higher values in this range will reflect a stronger balance and consistency between components.
85-89: Great whisky; recommended.
Whiskies that tick the flavour boxes and you'll likely hear about these from me. An easy decision to order at a bar/restaurant and one to consider buying a bottle of.
80-84: Very good whisky; recommended, but still consider trying before you buy.
Most of these whiskies I was really happy to have the opportunity to taste, but, apart from a dram here and there, I don’t think I would buy a bottle.
75-79: Good whisky; consider trying before you buy.
These are whiskies that I did enjoy drinking, but likely would reach for another bottle or select something different to order.
65-74: Average; consider trying before you buy, but not recommended.
There is nothing that stood out about this whisky and I might be inclined to mix it with soda or in a cocktail, instead of trying to enjoy its own flavours.
50-64: Bad; not recommended.
I didn’t like this and would sooner pass on another opportunity and order a beer instead than have it again… but never say never.
