Douglas Laing celebrates the fifteenth anniversary of its Islay blended malt Large Peat. For the event a restricted version was created, predominantly matured in crimson wine casks. It is available in a bespoke carton which additionally features a QR code, providing an opportunity to hitch Large Peat’s Membership.
I nonetheless keep in mind making an attempt one of many first batches of Large Peat, and calling it a benchmark Islay vatting. These days, in keeping with the outline, Large Peat nonetheless holds Islay single malts from Caol Ila, Bowmore and Ardbeg, in addition to Port Ellen.
Large Peat fifteenth Anniversary (50%, OB 2024, crimson wine casks)
Nostril: ticks all of the bins. Medicinal smoke, a number of coastal notes, dried seaweed, smoked lemons and bonfires. Then additionally roasted nuts, hints of warming vanilla and scorched wooden. The crimson wine casks aren’t taking on and make it much more earthy maybe, including some herbs, blackberries, strawberries and chocolate within the background.
Mouth: extra blackberries, forest fruit jam and roasted nuts. The vinous character is *loads* extra distinguished now, together with some tannins and a barely bitter edge. Drops of vermouth even. Then black peppercorns and quite a lot of ashy smoke. Liquorice and earthy leather-based, barbecued meat and toffee. Clearly darker than the common bottling, with a jammy sweetness beneath but in addition an pointless wine therapy.
End: fairly lengthy and dry, on leafy notes, tobacco and burnt herbs, with lingering winey notes.
After a convincing nostril, the crimson wine leaves a agency footprint on the palate. Followers of wine finishes will in all probability love this – for me the vinous facet is a dealbreaker. Total a good and sq. Islay malt although, matching the premise however including pointless components. Already out there from The Whisky Alternate or Whiskysite.nl as an illustration.
