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Wild about Whisky: Two "BIG" peats, both vatted malts; one never left the street gangs, the other has a degree in chemical engineering......
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The Big Smoke - Blended Islay Malt 60% Duncan Taylor. Vanilla and clean peat, initially Ardbeg on the nose, then a slight vegetal note and caramellised fried onion rings, elastoplast and new paint tin. The palate has salt, vanilla, tar and then explosive robust smoke that lingers through the finish. Don't attempt to put this fire out with a dash of water...it will fizzle out. Best just to face the furnace and take it on the chin...it's worth it! 85
Big Peat - Islay Blended Malt 46% Douglas Laing. Woah! Surprisingly sophisticated and complex on the nose for what appeared to be a marriage of some bolshy Islay malts. A salty sea breeze of seaweed dipped in wintergreen, the sweetness of fabled Port Ellen's vanilla and paint tin and just a hint of youth with struck matchsticks. The palate matches the nose note for note, a chilli note adding to the character and then a finish of salted tarry rope. Mmmm....this is a gentle peat, a cultured peat, refined peat, scholarly...... Water brings out an eclectic mix of new rubber, citrus, menthol and Port Ellen's salivating vanilla solvent. The palate thickens and then leaves a lightly tarred surface sprinkled with vanilla icing. Despite the caricatured label this dram is not "Big" but svelte, elegant, polished peat. 90
