Big Peat Blended Malt

(Pinkernells Islay Tasting Event) I sampled this about a year ago and recall not being fond of it, which is why I've avoided it since. However, I'm glad they included it in this tasting event because it offered a different experience. The nose is subtly pleasant with peat and a hint of sweet fruit. There's pineapple from a can, tasting more of the container than the fruit itself. It feels fresh, with no apparent alcohol on the palate. The initial taste is soft and somewhat oily, coating the mouth with its mild character. After a few moments, the peat becomes noticeable and much sweeter. Once that settles, it surprisingly becomes a bit watery. The flavor itself is acceptable, but beyond the peat and sweetness, there isn't much else for me to appreciate at this stage. The finish has some Islay-like smoke, and only after swallowing do you detect a hint of alcohol. The peatiness in the finish persists for a long time, with a slight youthful acidity. Overall, it was adequate, and the peat character is, well, distinctly Islay. Ultimately, however, it strikes me as somewhat uninspired.

Impressions with about a third of the bottle left: Considering everything, this is an enjoyable blended malt. The quirky artwork on the sleeve might be a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. The aroma is somewhat subdued, offering scents of preserved lemon, coastal air, and wood polish. Despite being known for peat, the taste begins bright and citrusy, developing a slight mineral-like quality towards the finish. At times, the bright citrus notes resemble the flavor of Sprite soda, and it concludes with the faintest hint of tannic tea. The mouthfeel is pleasantly dry and complements the taste well. For some reason, it didn't always sit well with me, and on occasion, it felt unbalanced or unpalatable. Additionally, at $60, it's not great value for money, and it didn't fare well against other entry-level options from Islay. However, it seemed to open up nicely, and most of the time, I really enjoyed it. I would buy it again if I could find it at a reasonable price (around $50 or less).

Very pale color. Nose is intensely smoky and peaty. First sip is amazing, a robust peaty and smoky taste floods the mouth. The flavors are bold and direct! No messing around. Second sip is spicy and alcoholic, with power! The finish leaves a slightly artificial film on the tongue, becoming somewhat cloying after the third glass. A manly whisky that hits hard and warms you. It delivers a powerful burst of peat and smoke in the mouth and is unadorned. It reflects the people from the lands of its origin: plain, rough, genuine, and strong. Enjoyed at the medieval setting after meeting lively Irish musicians. Violins harmonize with banjo, bouzouki, mandolin... Celtic tunes fill the air, calling for more drinks... Pour me Irish or Scottish nectar, and let the music play all night!

This is a blend of Islay Single Malts, but that's all I know. Let's find out what it's like! The aroma has a bright, fruity, and slightly fussy quality that immediately stands out. It includes lemon zest, apple juice, sweet vanilla, pickled ginger, some iodine, lightly savory cooked meat over a campfire, light oak, and nutty malt. The taste is sweet, savory, and a bit bitter with a medium body. Flavors include iodine, burnt rubber and ash, vanilla, nutty malt, roasted jalapeño, and some oak. The finish is long with lingering spicy ginger, roasted jalapeño, smoky campfire, some iodine, and chili pepper spice at the back of the throat. Overall, it's quite good. I can definitely detect some Ardbeg in it, similar to Wee Beastie. There's a persistent bitterness throughout that isn't bad, just not what I anticipated. This can sometimes happen with blends, where certain notes can become amplified.

One could claim that a few drops of Port Ellen in this blended malt wouldn't make a significant impact, but it's a clever marketing touch. Typical Islay peat smoke, coal tar, and TCP dominate the nose, followed by fennel, baked banana, and underlying Caol Ila sweetness. It's quite raw, young, and spirit-forward. On the palate, a powerful phenolic wave of 'Big Peat' overwhelms the senses, very dry and sharp, masking notes of honey, pears, and subtle oak. Pineapple, menthol, and a hint of briny seaweed emerge in the long and sweet peaty finish. So, where's the Port Ellen? Just kidding. RATING: 3.5/5.0 stars ≙ 84 pts → ABOVE AVERAGE

A rich, full-bodied blended malt from Douglas Laing, originating from Islay, Scotland, and composed of malt whiskies from Coal Ila, Bowmore, Ardbeg, and Port Ellen. It begins with a phenolic character, featuring notes of lemon zest, cedar, spice, hints of chocolate, toffee, almond, walnut, cinnamon, coffee, and smoke, along with delicate floral and fruit notes. Its mid-palate is salty and spicy, adding notes of heavy smoke, cinder, brine, earth, seaweed, oak, roasted salmon oiliness, peanut, sweet carrots, and cut grass. It concludes with a long, peaty, and dry finish, marked by notes of tarry smoke and ash. February 2018 / August 2022.