Big Peat – Smoke, Personality, and a Wink
Big Peat isn’t a distillery in itself, but a blend of 100% Islay single malts – a so-called blended malt whisky – created by the independent Scottish bottler Douglas Laing. The bottle is easily recognizable thanks to its iconic cartoon label: the bearded, windswept fisherman with a face full of character and soot – just like the whisky inside.
Big Peat blends malts from Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila, and the closed Port Ellen distillery, resulting in a bold, smoky dram packed with depth, complexity, and a healthy dose of humor.
Big Peat Fèis Ìle Edition – A Special Chapter
Each year, Douglas Laing releases a special edition of Big Peat to mark Fèis Ìle. These releases are always something unique – bottled in limited numbers, often at higher strength and without chill-filtration or added coloring. It’s Islay whisky in its purest form.
The 2024 Fèis Ìle Edition, for example, delivers classic Big Peat DNA: intense peat smoke, salty sea air, charred oak, roasted barley, and notes of licorice and campfire. It’s a whisky that doesn’t shy away from its boldness – yet manages to charm both hardcore Islay fans and curious newcomers.
A Bottle With Collector’s Value
Big Peat’s Fèis Ìle editions quickly become collector’s items. Not only because of the flavor, but also thanks to the humorous labels and annual variations. They’re a snapshot of the festival’s spirit – bottled. Many buy two: one to enjoy, and one to save.
A Dram That Brings the Festival Home
For those unable to travel to Islay during the festival week, Big Peat Fèis Ìle Edition offers a brilliant way to take part in the celebrations. Every sip evokes the island’s rugged nature, storied distilleries, and the sense of community that defines the festival. It’s a whisky made to be shared – perhaps to the sound of Scottish folk music and the scent of a crackling fire in the background.
Big Peat Fèis Ìle 2025 Edition – A Smoky Journey Back to Islay
Big Peat returns for Fèis Ìle 2025 – the annual Islay festival that celebrates the island’s proud whisky heritage. This special edition has been bottled as a tribute to the island’s spirit and Big Peat’s roots. It’s a whisky that speaks to both the senses and the hearts of all Islay enthusiasts.
A Vintage Whisky With Character
This 2025 release is made exclusively from whisky distilled in 2010 and matured in refill hogsheads – casks that previously held whisky, allowing Islay’s raw character to shine through. The result is a small batch bottling with great personality and depth.
Big Peat Fèis Ìle 2025 comes bottled at 50% ABV, with natural color and no chill-filtration – just the way many whisky lovers like it. It’s an unfiltered and honest taste experience, letting Islay’s smoke and sea air shine through in the glass.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Sweet smoke meets salty sea breeze and a hint of sugary seaweed.
Palate: Coal dust, chimney soot, and damp campfire ash give the whisky a robust, authentic Islay character.
Finish: Long and intense with classic Big Peat elements – especially a lingering and delicious BBQ smoke that stays long after the final sip.
The bottle features a stylish design with embossed foil labeling and a matching carton – a collector’s item that looks just as good as it tastes.
Big Peat Fèis Ìle 2025 Edition isn’t just another whisky – it’s a piece of festival spirit in a bottle. An intense, honest, and smoky dram that takes you straight to Islay’s rain-swept cliffs and peat-smoked distilleries. Available for shipping from February 24th, 2025 – and officially presented at the festival on May 23rd.
Big Peat Fèis Ìle Edition is more than just a whisky – it’s an experience. It captures the essence of Islay and the unique spirit of the festival in a single glass. Smoke, sea, tradition, and humor come together in a blend that honors the past while living in the present.
If you only try one Big Peat this year – let it be this one. It tastes like the festival – even from the comfort of your sofa. Slàinte!
