Douglas Laing's Big Peat Small Batch Cask Strength Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) - 2013 Christmas Edition

Note: Product has come from a private collection and as such has some minor scuffing/scratches/handling marks. Actual product pictured.
The Big Peat label ran a theme of Christmas presentations that started (at least) as far back as 2013. The annual limited editions were collected for their fun festive look but also developed a reputation as high-class blends with some serious Islay malts in the mix. We don't believe the blend changed dramatically from year to year, so you can refer to whiskyfun's notes below to get an idea of the style and quality on offer. 54.9% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered.

Other reviews... As usual, this baby contains Bowmore, Caol Ila, Ardbeg and Port Ellen. Christmas? I know, I'm late... Colour: white wine. Nose: there must be quite a few young casks in the vatting - yup, obviously not the Port Ellen - because there's a lot of smoked porridge, smoked water, even dairy cream... Sour smokes, I'd say. A lot, really a lot of brine too. Can you smoke pickled gherkins? With water: raw tarry peat, fisherman's ropes, pitch. Mouth (neat): ultra-young! Raw peat, wheelbarrows of pears (sign of youth) and a blend of apple juice and liquid tar. Quite extreme. With water: smoked seawater, cold lapsang souchong tea... Finish: long, very tarry. Tar liqueur, that's it. Comments: I know heavy peaters can be great at a very young age, and this is another fine example, but a little more polishing would have been welcome. Now, it does what it says on the tin, doesn't it. 83 points - whiskyfun.com