Big Peat Christmas Edition 2017

Big Peat Christmas Edition 2017, NAS, 54.1 %

Here is the annual Christmas Edition of the regional malt presenting Islay, from Douglas Laing. This is a blended malt made up from seven different Islay single malts, including whisky from long closed distillery Port Ellen. It is all served at cask strength - well, I guess 'vatting strength' would be just as accurate.

I have previously tasted these editions; 2013, 2014, 2015.

You can buy the Big Peat Christmas Edition 2017 in Norway at NOK 890 (7947101), in Sweden at SEK 649 (85924), and online from the UK at around GBP 47.

Nose: Vanilla, milk chocolate and soft medicinal smoke. I also detect hints of citrus, peppermint, and sweet licorice. It is comforting and warm.

Taste: Very rich and full-bodied. Creamy and big. Lots of chili and pepper upfront. Apples, hot ashes and peaty smoke. Add to that sweet licorice and milk chocolate.

Finish: Medium to long finish. This dram is warming to the core. Vanilla, sure. But also warm sand (?), hot chocolate, and hints of salt. Hmm.. salty chocolate balls!

Comments: ..and with that, Christmas 2017 is here, at last :-)

Score (87/100)

Image from Master of Malt.

Sláinte! - Thomas

Here's a classic performance by Isaac Hayes as Chef from South Park:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnNYXgV7L-c