Christmas has come early as Douglas Laing & Co, leading family Scotch Whisky firm, today reveals Big Peat's Christmas 2017 Limited Edition. The annual exclusive release is bottled at natural cask strength, this year at 54.1%, and is said to be "a cask strength, smoky blast that delivers the ultimate taste of Islay Whisky".
The much-anticipated packaging is designed to appeal to the Christmas gift-buying market, and shows Big Peat bracing a blizzard battering his island home of Islay. His trademark beard has turned to icicles and he has swapped his familiar polo neck for a festive red variation. Red foil and spot varnish details bring to life an eye-catching gift tube and label design. As always, the all-Islay "Vatted" Malt Whisky inside is offered without colouring or chill-filtration, in line with the family firm's philosophy to bottle Scotch Whisky "as natural as it gets".
Douglas Laing's Managing Director and proud creator of Big Peat, Fred Laing says:
"Big Peat is in the midst of his busiest year ever with numerous special bottlings, including his commemorative release for Feis Ile 2017, and multiple exclusive bottlings for some of his key markets across the globe. His demanding schedule continues with this latest release, which contains a unique recipe encompassing 7 of his favourite Single Malts from Islay, honouring the 7th Big Peat Christmas edition. The resulting liquid captures that signature smoky style with a marvellously maritime quality, just perfect for sipping by the fire, feet up on a cold winter's night. Big Peat's not ready to put his feet up just yet though, with one final big announcement to follow before the year is out…"
Big Peat Christmas will be available globally via specialist Whisky retailers from November 2017.
TASTING NOTES
Big Peat Christmas 2017 packs an appropriately big peated punch, showing all sorts of maritime qualities like ferry engine rooms, tarry ropes, rock pools, harbour walls, beached seaweed and creosoted beach huts, with a late suggestion of chewed leather.
ABOUT BIG PEAT
Launched in 2009, Big Peat is a remarkable marriage of Malt Whiskies only from the island of Islay. "He" is proudly offered without colouring or chill-filtration and bottled at high alcohol strength (46%), resulting in a naturally oily spirit that promises an incredible mouth-feel. With Caol Ila spirit bringing sweetness, Bowmore the perfect balance, Ardbeg the medicinal, earthy quality and Port Ellen, a degree of elegance, Big Peat Islay Malt Scotch Whisky represents all that is Islay in a bottle.
Established almost 70 years ago, Douglas Laing & Co. is a leading creator and purveyor of the finest Scotch Whiskies, specialising in Single Cask Single Malts and Small Batch Malt Scotch Whiskies. The company was founded by Fred Douglas Laing in 1948 and is still owned and run by the Laing family - Fred Laing Jr and his daughter Cara Laing.