Big Peat Christmas Edition 2023 – Sherry Cask Finish 54.8% is a limited Islay blended malt, bottled at natural cask strength. As ever, it’s composed entirely of heavily peated single malts from Islay, reputedly including Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila and Port Ellen, but for the 2023 release Big Peat has, for the first time, been given a finishing period in sherry casks. The result is a festive peat monster wrapped in layers of dried fruit, cocoa and spicy oak.
Style & producer
Bottled by Douglas Laing, Big Peat is their tongue-in-cheek but seriously smoky tribute to Islay. The 2023 Christmas Edition is presented at 54.8% ABV, with no chill-filtration and no added colouring. Expect big, bold, chimney-stack smoke backed up by rich sherry sweetness and wintery spice – a true “Christmas by the fireplace” whisky.
Nose
The nose is bold, coastal and festively rich:
dried fruits – raisins, dates, dark berries and plum
dark chocolate, cocoa powder and spiced oak
candied orange peel, citrus oils and burnt caramel
Hebridean sea air, iodine, seaweed and coal dust
classic Big Peat smoke: chimney soot, peat reek and smouldering driftwood
Palate
On the palate, the whisky is thick, oily and intensely flavoured:
an initial hit of sweet malt, dried fruit, fudge and toffee
cocoa, espresso hints, charred oak and baking spices – cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper
candied peel, orange zest and a touch of Christmas cake
The sherry finish brings a generous layer of seasonal richness without diluting the full-on Islay character.
Finish & serving
The finish is long, warming and deeply smoky:
lingering ash, tarry peat and glowing embers
dried fruit, cocoa, candied citrus and Christmas spices
a salty, maritime echo that keeps reminding you of Islay
Enjoy Big Peat Christmas Edition 2023 neat in a tulip glass, giving it a few minutes to open up. A small splash of water enhances the dried fruit, chocolate and sherry spice while keeping that big peat punch firmly in place. It’s an ideal winter warmer for peat lovers and a seriously characterful festive gift.
