New Release: Big Peat Douglas Laing for FEIS ILE 2017, 48%

Certainly had the feel of Big Peat. Big Peat Douglas Laing for FEIS ILE 2017, 48% One of 1600 bottles, finished in Sherry cask The aroma featured sweet recent sherry, plum and apricot jam, milk chocolate, red bean candy, dashi soy sauce, faint sulfur notes, and heavy, strong peat. On the palate, it offered a rich sweetness of apricot jam with subtle tannins, dashi umami, a slight soy sauce-like character, and a heavy peaty finish. [Good] This is the Big Peat bottling by Douglas Laing for this year's FEIS ILE. While the cask origin is unspecified, it is an Islay malt. As noted, the sherry cask finish was clearly evident with strong recent sherry nuances. The jammy richness, bold sweetness, and heavy peatiness were prominent, alongside a savory dashi-like umami typical of Islay malts. A slight soy sauce-like sulfuric element was also detectable. I believe the sulfuric notes will dissipate with time, while the sherry character may develop a more cohesive integration. Given its water-added bottling, it seems likely to evolve further in the future, showing several promising elements. This dram was enjoyed at Oudou in Sagami-Higashi. #Distillery Unknown