Big Peat Christmas Edition 2017 Douglas Laing Islay Blended Malt Whisky 54,1%

Half a percentage point below the year before, but an entirely different mood in the glass. The 2017 edition has more sea and less bonfire — a Christmas dram for anyone who would rather stand on the pier than sit by the fire.

The expert's description

Big Peat Christmas Edition 2017 is an Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky bottled at 54.1 % cask strength.

The blend is assembled from single malts from Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen and bottled as a small batch without chill filtration and without added colour.

In the Christmas editions Douglas Laing emphasise the maritime side of Islay, and the 2017 vintage is a clear example: salt, seaweed and cold sea air take up more room than the dry ash.

Tasting notes

Nose

Salt and bitter peat with heavy smoke, yet bright enough for citrus to break through. Seaweed and wet stone sit beneath it all.

Palate

Peat from the first drop, with shifting layers of oil and salt turning into light vanilla and spice. There is a clear sea flavour, put there on purpose.

Finish

Long and persistent with smoke, salt and a dry peppery close.

Specifications

Name: Big Peat Christmas Edition 2017 Douglas Laing Islay Blended Malt Whisky 54.1%
Bottler: Douglas Laing
Region/Country: Islay, Scotland
Type: Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
ABV: 54.1 %
Size: 70 CL
Non-chill filtered: Yes
Natural colour: Yes
Bottled: 2017
Edition: Christmas Edition 2017

Flavour profile

Peated · Maritime · Salt · Spicy · Cask strength

Investment potential

Medium: The Christmas editions are bottled only in the year they are named after, and the 2017 vintage has long been discontinued. Older Christmas Editions grow steadily scarcer as the bottles are drunk.

Did you know?

Port Ellen, part of the blend, closed in 1983 and lay silent for more than forty years. Every bottle of Big Peat containing Port Ellen therefore holds whisky from a distillery that in practice did not exist when the bottle was filled.

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Frequently asked questions about Big Peat Christmas Edition 2017 Douglas Laing Islay Blended Malt Whisky 54.1%

What characterises the 2017 vintage?

The maritime side. Where the 2016 edition pulls towards ash and bonfire, 2017 is saltier and more coastal with seaweed, oil and a clear shoreline character. The smoke is the same, but the frame is different.

What does small batch mean?

That the release is vatted from a limited number of casks. It gives a more consistent whisky than a single cask, but in a far smaller outturn than an ordinary production run.

Which distilleries are involved?

Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen. The combination delivers medicinal smoke, sweetness, balance and the elegance the closed Port Ellen is known for.

Is it too powerful for a beginner?

It sits at the heavy end. If you are new to peated whisky, start with a 46 % version and work your way up. There is plenty to choose from among Single Malt Whisky.

What does it suit?

Shellfish, oysters or smoked fish. The salty, maritime character meets the sea on the plate, and the smoke cuts through the richness.

How is it best drunk?

Neat at room temperature, ideally after a couple of minutes in the glass. At 54.1 % a few drops of water can open the citrus notes if the smoke takes over.