Big Peat Christmas Edition 2021 (70cl, 52.8%)

This is the 2021 Christmas edition of Big Peat, a blended malt from Douglas Laing, in a 70cl bottle at 52.8%. It is non-chill-filtered and has no added colouring. The blend contains whisky from Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore and Port Ellen. The character is smoky and strong, recalling a burnt-out campfire and ash, with wet sand, seaweed and a sea breeze. This year's edition has noticeably stronger peat smoke. The nose is powerful peat and smoke with a fine sweetness, salty maritime hints and ash. The palate is full-bodied, sweet at first with liquorice root, then plenty of smoke and peat. The finish is long and strong, with sweet smoke to the end.