Big Peat Christmas Edition 2013 A Real Cracker (70cl, 54.9%)

Big Peat A Real Cracker is the 2013 Christmas Edition of this Islay blended malt Scotch whisky from Douglas Laing. It is a small batch at natural cask strength, 54.9%, in a 70cl bottle and is not chill-filtered. The label names Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen among its distilleries. The nose is youthful, with young peaty malt, pear, smoked grain, heather peat, oats, intense phenols and an antiseptic touch. The palate is very smoky and peppery, with young pear, rubbery and tarry notes, a medicinal side and black coffee and cocoa towards the end. The finish is long, dry and persistently smoky.