Scotland
The jolly, bearded chap is back for another Christmas! No, not Santa Claus, it's Big Peat, and he's got a whole new batch of Big Peat at Christmas 2014 in his sleigh. A classic Douglas Laing blended malt, jam packed with Islay whiskies from the likes of Caol Ila, Bowmore, Ardbeg and even the closed Port Ellen distillery. As a Christmas treat, it's been bottled at natural cask strength.
Thick, crumbly oatcakes with a bit of brie. Ice cream and jelly. Pencils. Big notes of earth, with medicinal notes coming through after a minute or two. Ham - plenty of ham.
Bonfire embers, light struck matches and sea breeze. The oatcakes are back, but this time they've been loaded up with fruit chutney and served alongside some blackberries. A drop of water opens up salty notes.
It just goes and goes, this one. Smoke and earth all the way to the end.
Wouldn't mind finding this one wrapped up under the Christmas tree, that's for sure.
As well as adding gifts to lucky MoM orders, #WhiskySanta is granting wishes on social media every day! Hit the button above and let them know what you'd like. It could be yours!
This whiskey is good but its not really well balanced. I prefer buying a bottle of Ardbeg/Laphroaig/Longrow much more balanced and rounded. Everyone who has tasted it pulled their face like Big Peat on the bottle, and they are all seasoned whisky drinkers and big lovers of peat. very peaty and salty sure... but not a great whisky in my opinion.
I found the 46% version of Big Peat had a bit too much icing sugar on the nose. At 55% however the sweetness is better balanced by the peat. The Xmas version is definitely worth the extra cost. By all means add a drop of water, but not too much!
Here we go folks - Merry Christmas and i'll see you on the other side!
