Big Peat 12 years old Douglas Laing Blended Islay Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

Big Peat is not a distillery but a fisherman with a wild grey beard and four Islay distilleries behind him. The twelve year old is the one where he has picked up some manners — the smoke is still there, but the edges have softened.

The expert's description

Big Peat 12 years is an Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 46 % without chill filtration and without added colour.

The blend consists solely of single malts from Islay, all at least twelve years old: Caol Ila contributes sweetness, Bowmore balance, Ardbeg the medicinal and earthy character, and Port Ellen a measure of elegance.

Douglas Laing created Big Peat in 2009 as a single-bottle account of Islay. The firm was founded in 1948 by Fred Douglas Laing and is still run by the family from Glasgow, where they now also operate their own distillery.

Tasting notes

Nose

Charred oak, chimney smoke and wet rock pools. Under the smoke sit vanilla, butterscotch and dark fruits such as blackcurrant and black cherry.

Palate

Fruit driven with toffee, dark chocolate and a nutty edge. The spiced peat smoke settles around the sweetness instead of fighting it, and the salt of the coast is obvious.

Finish

Long and lingering with brown sugar, bonfire ash and a dry phenolic quality that stays.

Specifications

Name: Big Peat 12 years old Douglas Laing Blended Islay Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 12 years
ABV: 46 %
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
EAN no.: 5014218814903

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Smoky · Sweet · Full bodied

Did you know?

Port Ellen closed in 1983 and only reopened in 2024. Big Peat has over the years contained whisky from the closed distillery — one of the few ways ordinary people have ever tasted Port Ellen.

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Frequently asked questions about Big Peat 12 years old Douglas Laing Blended Islay Malt Scotch Whisky 70 cl 46%

What is a Blended Malt Whisky?

A vatting of single malts from several distilleries — with no grain whisky added. Big Peat is put together from four Islay distilleries, which is exactly why it can show the island's collective character rather than one distillery's.

How smoky is it?

Pronounced, but not extreme. The smoke is peaty and maritime with ash and tar, and the twelve years have rounded the corners. If you are new to peated whisky, it is a good way into Islay Whisky.

Which distilleries are included?

Caol Ila, Bowmore, Ardbeg and Port Ellen. Douglas Laing state the composition themselves, which is unusual for a blend — most keep their recipe close to the chest.

How does it differ from Big Peat without an age statement?

The age. The standard release is younger and rawer in its smoke, while the 12 year old has more fruit, more sweetness and a softer texture. The smoke profile is the same, but better integrated.

Does it work with food?

Very well with smoked and grilled food. Try it with grilled oysters, smoked salmon or a piece of meat with a heavy sear — smoke meets smoke.

Does it need water?

At 46 % you can happily drink it neat. A drop of water will loosen the phenols and draw out more fruit if the smoke is too much for you.