Douglas Laing celebrates the 15th anniversary of its Islay blended malt Big Peat. For the occasion a limited edition was created, predominantly matured in red wine casks. It comes in a bespoke carton which also includes a QR code, offering a chance to join Big Peat’s Club.
I still remember trying one of the first batches of Big Peat, and calling it a benchmark Islay vatting. Nowadays, according to the description, Big Peat still holds Islay single malts from Caol Ila, Bowmore and Ardbeg, as well as Port Ellen.
Big Peat 15th Anniversary (50%, OB 2024, red wine casks)
Nose: ticks all the boxes. Medicinal smoke, lots of coastal notes, dried seaweed, smoked lemons and bonfires. Then also roasted nuts, hints of warming vanilla and scorched wood. The red wine casks are not taking over and make it even more earthy perhaps, adding some herbs, blackberries, strawberries and chocolate in the background.
Mouth: more blackberries, forest fruit jam and roasted nuts. The vinous character is *a lot* more prominent now, including some tannins and a slightly bitter edge. Drops of vermouth even. Then black peppercorns and a lot of ashy smoke. Liquorice and earthy leather, barbecued meat and toffee. Clearly darker than the regular bottling, with a jammy sweetness underneath but also an unnecessary wine treatment.
Finish: rather long and dry, on leafy notes, tobacco and burnt herbs, with lingering winey notes.
After a convincing nose, the red wine leaves a firm footprint on the palate. Fans of wine finishes will probably love this – for me the vinous side is a dealbreaker. Overall a fair and square Islay malt though, matching the premise but adding unnecessary elements. Already available from The Whisky Exchange or Whiskysite.nl for instance.