whisky review 98 - Big Peat (Blended Islay Malt)

[Gregrg7]

I appreciate the art of them vatting single malts, but for anywhere close to $47, I'll just stick to Ardbeg 10 or Laphroaig Quarter Cask...

[Jakeistoocool143]

Ok, Ralfy. I've gotta ask... Have you had Cao Ila 15 yo before and, if so, would you recommend it? I'm a college student in the United States so, as you might be able to imagine, I don't get to buy single malts too often. Thanks for the advice! Love your reviews, by the way.

[Jakeistoocool143]

@Jakeistoocool143 My apologies, I meant Laphroaig 15 yo.!

[neg0t]

Grabbed a small bottle from the local alcohol store. Cant wait for xmas eve to try it out.

[maxygg]

Dear Ralfy I hear they have a new Cask Strength Big Peat out now for Christmas time. Do you plan to review it, as it should be a real cracker.

[ralfystuff]

@maxygg

well ! ... that should be good !

[SingleServingJohn]

Just ordered the Big Peat Xmas edition myself! Kinda pricy here in Sweden, but I hope the big alcohol boost will make up for it by exposing lots of flavors. Dear Ralfy "Sensei" Mitchell, what will be your christmas-dram this year?

[ralfystuff]

@SingleServingJohn

apart for the excellent Big Peat cask-strength, you will have to wait for the big announcement at the end of the year.

[ChewTheGlue]

I kept on seeing this whisky in my local bottle shop and thought it looked like a bit of a gimmick but I bought a bottle of it last week and I'm really enjoying it.

[Lacuervo]

This just tastes like liquid smoke to me. Makes me feel ill.

[ipctec2go]

for a blend its pretty good stuff !

[FrontSideBus]

Will have to look out for some of this. I've just bought a bottle of Port Charlotte An turas mor for my peat fix.

[TheRabidtroller]

Mr Ralfy, I was going through the special's in at the liquor store in town today, and noticed a nice and petite bottle of Big Peat sitting there. I just decided to give it a try, and discovered your review only after tasting it.

I can't find any words to describe how much I enjoyed that whiskey. I'm not that much of a whiskey expert, but I have to say I've tasted far worse than that. To be honest, I think Big Peat is the best one I've had to date.

I simply couldn't agree with you more!

[DrClaw78]

Big Peat is okay and actually more restrained than you might think.

I think the Sheep Dip 1990 Old Hebridean owns it though and should've beaten it to best vatted malt at the WWA. It includes a 25 YO Ardbeg and a 19 YO Dalmore. What is not to love there?

What's more - it REALLY works.

[OghamTheBold]

Bad blend = 'mish' 'mash' - good blend = note 'chord' (which may need the odd black note)

Just had my first Bowmore 12 year Islay single malt - no water needed there

Like the idea of this club thing - I send random people out to fetch me whiskey - that yields nice surprises (as long as you remind them that Euros and Pounds are for spending - otherwise you limit the possibilities)

Would not have tried some Spanish brandy's for myself otherwise - sweeter

[dirladas]

Apart from the nose, this whisky was a big dissapointment for me, even though I consider myself a peat freak. Especially in the end you get a cigarette ashtrayjuice-like taste which is not my Islay. Sorry.

[Silky2dope]

HI im glad i found you :) always good to hear what people think of all the diff scotch

[guyinhead]

On the topic of caramel coloring, I was reading about the qualification that must be met before a whiskey can be called bourbon. One of the qualifications is that no caramel coloring can be added. If this is true, do you think scotch will ever have to met that requirement?

[ralfystuff]

... it is a big plus point with Bourbon that it may quite legitimatly present itself as having a superior feature to Scotch in not allowing E150a (caramel) which serves only one purpose,

... to deceive. When Malt Whisky sales decline where E150a is present,... then the Scotch Whisky Industry might act.

[Reffiefp]

Hallo Ralfy,

my bottle of Laphroaig Quarter Cask bought in a German shopping mall says "Farven justeret med karamel" and "mit Farbstoff".

Do you think that Laphroaig sells different versions of the Quarter Cask Single Malt?

With regards,

Michael

[ralfystuff]

... same Malt, but under German (better) regulations, colouring must be declared.

So, why not just declare it on ALL bottles everywhere in the World and show respect for customers ?

Question in an e-mail to the Scotch Whisky Association.

[godzilla74114]

I'm enjoying your reviews of whiskey, have you ever reviewed a bourbon or considered reviewing any?

Cheers.

[bigclivedotcom]

Now bruv, I did offer to buy you a bottle of that.... OK, largely 'cos I liked the picture on the label, 'cos I'm not a whisky geek like you. The offer still stands.

[ralfystuff]

.... aw bless !  how about a bottle of Brora 30yo @ £230 (only)

[bigclivedotcom]

I rather think not. Tch! Give you an inch and you take a mile.

[RE4Freak]

@ralfystuff I just picked up a bottle of Brora 30 year old for $350 Canadian. Is this a bottle to leave up opened that may be worth alot in years?

[ralfystuff]

@RE4Freak

All Brora's are serious collectors items, especially official bottlings, and if you wish to drink it it is excellent !!!

[vikramsthakur]

spectacular tasting skills.... ..

[liltudds]

Ralfy, Lord of the Dance!

[GLACKEN82]

Just tryed a 10 year old tobermory just there,very intresting tast,a kind of smokie sweet honey and herbs,good stuff

[blackie005]

very interesting. even though i dont like that tcp medicinal taste, the education that you can get from ralf and some of these different whiskies is emence!!!! merry christmas!

[xcelldx]

funny bottle label

[HumanStrategy]

Ralfy, I'm concerned.

How often do you wash that jacket you're wearing? You have it on in almost every video you put up ^_^

[ralfystuff]

... it's a "whisky-jumper" and means ... Vlog from 2009.

This will all become clearer in 2010.

[cairey]

Johnnie Walker Green IS a blended malt, but not the other JW bottlings.

[xcelldx]

Johnnie Walker Green is a vatted malt.

a blend of single malts

without grain whisky

[B891]

Interested to see some more "blended malts."

[hardrinker1989]

its a dam cool bottle

[boxant]

Sounds interesting :)

[zgembo82]

First!