Big Peat – Winter Edition 2025 Madeira Wine Cask 70 cl. 53,6%

Big Peat Winter Edition 2025, 53.6% is a bold Islay blended malt built from 100% Islay single malts – including the likes of Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila and Port Ellen – and given a finishing period in Madeira wine casks. Bottled at natural cask strength 53.6% ABV, with no chill-filtration and no added colouring, it delivers classic Big Peat smoke wrapped in sweet, wine-kissed richness for the colder months.

Producer – Douglas Laing & Big Peat

Big Peat is Douglas Laing’s cult Islay character and part of the Remarkable Regional Malts range, representing the island’s famously smoky style. The Winter Edition 2025 marks his first dedicated winter bottling, trading the Santa hat for a more refined, storm-ready look while keeping the same unapologetically peaty soul.

Nose

The nose is smoky, coastal and gently sweet:

• sweet barley malt and a blast of sea air

• salted caramel, vanilla, toffee and hints of crème brûlée

• charred citrus peel, driftwood smoke, coal dust and tar

• a subtle Madeira wine note adding dried fruit warmth and depth

Palate

On the palate, it is rich, oily and full of character:

• layers of molasses, brown sugar, caramel and toasted vanilla

• burnt orange, citrus oils and a touch of dark fruit from the wine casks

• powerful phenolic peat: bonfire embers, chimney soot, iodine and smoked seaweed

• the sweetness from the Madeira finish softens the edges without dialling down the smoke

Finish & serving

The finish is long, warming and intensely smoky:

• lingering peat smoke, sea salt and earthy, glowing embers

• bitter-sweet orange zest, caramel and a hint of cocoa

• a distinctly maritime, smoky aftertaste that clings to the palate

Best enjoyed neat in a tulip glass after a short rest, with the option of a small splash of water to open up more caramel, citrus and Madeira fruit. It is an ideal fireside dram for peat lovers – big, coastal, smoky and just sweet enough to feel like winter comfort in a glass.