There's a particular kind of joy in a whisky that doesn't take itself too seriously — and Big Peat has always been that dram. The Chinese Year of the Horse Limited Edition sits comfortably in the Douglas Laing stable of vatted Islay malts, a blend of single malts drawn from the island's distilleries, bottled at a punchy 48.8% ABV without an age statement. The horse on the label is rendered in that familiar Big Peat cartoon style, and the whole package radiates a kind of cheerful defiance: this is Islay in a party hat, and it knows exactly what it is.
I've spent enough time on Islay to know that the island's character isn't one thing. It's not just peat smoke rolling off a kiln at Port Ellen. It's sea spray on the Oa, it's wet bracken on the road to Bunnahabhain, it's the particular way light falls on Loch Indaal at four in the afternoon when the rain stops for exactly eleven minutes. Big Peat, as a vatted malt, tries to capture something of that breadth rather than the singular voice of one distillery. The Year of the Horse edition, bottled at 48.8%, sits above the standard 46% — a small but meaningful bump that suggests Douglas Laing wanted a touch more weight and intensity for this limited release.
Tasting Notes
I won't pretend to dissect this one into clinical columns of nose, palate, and finish — that's not really what Big Peat is about. What I will say is that the NAS approach here is no cause for concern. Douglas Laing have been blending Islay malts long enough to know how to balance youth and maturity, smoke and sweetness, maritime salt and malty warmth. At 48.8%, you're getting enough ABV to carry the peat without it becoming a bonfire. Expect the classic Islay signatures — smoke, brine, a certain medicinal edge — delivered with the kind of approachability that makes Big Peat a gateway for curious drinkers and a reliable companion for seasoned peat heads alike.
The Verdict
At £54.75, you're paying a modest premium over the standard Big Peat for the limited edition packaging and the slightly higher strength. Is it worth it? I think so. The 48.8% ABV gives this edition a backbone that rewards attention, and the limited nature of the release means it won't sit on shelves forever. This isn't a whisky that will change your understanding of Islay — it's not trying to. It's a well-constructed vatted malt that delivers island character honestly and without pretension. For collectors of the Big Peat series, it's a no-brainer. For everyone else, it's a solid entry point into what Islay does best. A confident 7.7 out of 10 — it does exactly what it promises, and it does it well.
Best Served
Pour this neat into a Glencairn and let it breathe for five minutes. If you want to open it up further, add no more than a teaspoon of water — the kind of cold, soft water you'd cup from a burn on the island itself. This is an evening dram, best enjoyed when the day's noise has settled and you can give it the quiet attention it deserves. A square of dark chocolate with sea salt on the side wouldn't hurt either.
