Douglas Laing Big Peat Christmas Edition 2021
52.8% ABV - Islay, Scotland
Nose: Thick black smoke, pepper, tar, and jalepeño. There is a sweet tang that I can’t place—like an almost soured fruit.
Taste: Puffs of peat smoke atop heavily peppered meat grilling on the barbecue.
Finish: As the taste fades the smoke is towards ash and not as strong. Medium-long.
Douglas Laing’s Big Peat Christmas Edition 2021 is a powerful, peat punch of smoke and grilled meats. I recently brought it to a whisky party and the people I talked to who had sampled it did have good things to say.
I really appreciate the difference in flavour profiles between each year… all right, there isn’t too much significant difference, as the smoky profile is completely dominant when Big Peat is offered at cask strength.
There is unfortunately no transparency regarding the percentages of distillate from each Islay distillery that make up this blended malt. I don’t see it as a requirement by any means, but it sure would be amazing if they provided information for those who would seek; Compass Box shares the details but you need to visit their website to access it. Nonetheless, great whisky and I am looking forward to the 2022 Edition—hoping that I can find it within the next few months!
Details (Official): From the Douglas Laing family to yours, we’re proud to present Big Peat’s Limited Edition Festive bottling for Christmas 2021! Proudly offered without colouring or chill-filtration and bottled at a natural cask strength of 52.8%, this potently punchy dram is the perfect accompaniment to those long, chilly winter nights.
Tasted 18 October 2022. (Posted 08 January 2023.)
