Big Peat Christmas (2020 Release)

This tenth release of the yearly holiday bottling shows Big Peat in a Santa hat, mirrored in an ornament found deep in the Christmas tree. As is the custom for the Christmas Edition, it's bottled at a warming 53.1% ABV and is presented without added color or chill-filtration. Big Peat is a blend of 100% Single Malts from Islay distilleries: Ardbeg, Caol Ila, Bowmore, and Port Ellen. It's anyone's guess how much Port Ellen and Ardbeg are included. To me, it mostly resembles Caol Ila. Regardless, let's explore. On the nose, the peat and smoke are detectable even from a distance. Up close, there are bright, minty aromas with the scent of wet, rocky seashore. A few more sniffs evoke walking through a stable with a distant burning campfire. There's a subtle, underlying sweetness along with some citrus or lemon notes. It's quite an intriguing aroma. The palate entry is rather thin, sweet but not excessively so, a bit sharp with brine and lemony brightness, accompanied by abundant peat and smoke. It seems like a relatively young spirit; the palate develops very little, with the mid and back palate overwhelmed by ashy smoke and peat. A few drops of water reveal a bit more fruit, like plum and apricots, and help to smooth the peppery sharpness. The finish is quite long, dominated by ash and smoke, with faint hints of sweet fruit and lemon. Your lips continue to tingle long after the tasting. My initial impression was positive, but I anticipated more substantial, meaty flavors for the tenth anniversary Christmas Edition. Perhaps it will improve with more time to breathe.

Nicely ashy, but with sweet fruits as well, more tannic and tart notes reminiscent of ground cherry, all within a generally light body. Quite flavorful, but it lacks a bit of cohesion and clearly defined flavors.

Outstanding! When I desire Islay scotch, my usual choices are single malts from Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and Laphroaig. I never pick a blend. This is superb.

Very balanced, with smoke and peat, and apples.

Very peaty