Big Peat is a blended malt Scotch whisky from Douglas Laing, an independent Scotch whisky bottler and blender. It is part of the company's Remarkable Regional Malts series. This series highlights the unique traits of each whisky region in Scotland. Big Peat represents the Islay region, famous for its peated, smoky whiskies.
It all started in 2009. Douglas Laing wanted to make a blend that captured Islay's essence. As a blended malt, Big Peat mixes single malts from famous Islay distilleries. These include Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila, and even the rare Port Ellen. This mix gives the blend a historic and nostalgic feel.
Each distillery's whisky in Big Peat is chosen for a balanced profile. It highlights the peaty, maritime qualities of Islay whiskies. The blend is non-chill filtered and usually has 46% ABV. There are also special and cask-strength editions for peat lovers.
Big Peat's branding features a bearded fisherman, named 'Big Peat'. This symbolises the rugged, seafaring life of the island. The packaging and name suggest the whisky's peaty taste.
The spirit has aromas of smoky peat, sea breeze, iodine, honey, and malt. Its taste unfolds layers of smoke, ash, tar, vanilla, citrus, and saltiness. The finish is long, warm, and peaty.
Over the years, the whisky has won many awards. It captures the spirit of Islay malts. Its seasonal, especially Christmas editions, are popular. These often come at cask strength for more depth.
Douglas Laing's commitment to craftsmanship and quality shows in Big Peat. It's not just a whisky blend. It's a mix of stories, lands, and distillers' skills from across Islay. It honours the rich peat bogs that have been part of the island's distilleries for generations.