Big Peat 25 year old Gold Edition – 52.1% ABV

Info: It’s nearly time for Feis Ile 2018, so what better way to enjoy it than to have a dram of Big Peat’s Gold Edition, a 25yo vatted Islay malt. No chill filtration and no colour.
Colour: Ripe golden barley
Nose: Delicate and slightly floral, a heathery Islay moorland summer day. Beautifully restrained coal and sea breeze peat notes underline what is obviously a well aged gentle dram, and maybe hides the higher ABV? A hint of old oak and wax polish.
Palate: Slightly peppery at first followed quickly be waves of sweet peat laden oils. Exciting to hold on your tongue for ages investigating the silky oils and sweet peat notes.
Finish: The finish shows a slight leatheriness, the sweet nose and palate tail off here a little and it becomes a hint more tannin lead.
Thoughts: A fabulous and fairly relaxed older Islay dram which has all the hints of Big Peat in it, but a future older and wiser Big Peat who’s happy to kick up his feet.
Available: 3000 bottles globally. At the time of posting there’s 11 bottles left on the Douglas Laing’s website!

Thanks to Douglas Laing for the sample. Any comments? Come find me on Twitter.