Big Peat The Thropaigeach Edition Friends of Fèis Ile 2024

 

 

 

48°

Distillery : Ardbeg, Bowmore, Caol Ila, Port Ellen and others - Islay 

Caribbean Rum Finish

Independent Bottling 

By Douglas Laing & Co. 

Limited Edition 

Blended Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Peated around 40 ppm

 

 

 

Since 2016, there has been a limited edition for each Fèis Ile, a music and whisky festival held in spring on Islay. Most of the time, only the label is original, sometimes it's the name, and more rarely, an unusual finish is attempted, in 2017 in Sherry casks, in 2023 in red wine casks, and this year in Caribbean Rum casks. 5688 bottles are put on sale. Thropaigeach is said to mean ‘tropic’ in Gaelic.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

It's the Big Peat profile, very coastal, with sea breeze, foam and spray, but also a new kind of sweetness, squeezed lemon, cane sugar, grated ginger, crushed almonds. In the background, vanilla, white plums and Chasselas grapes. On the palate, the rum influence is more discreet, with salty liquorice, a thick layer of peat, soft banana, white pepper and clove. An ounce of papaya and lychee. The finish is fairly long and powerful, with hints of menthol and lemon, coarse sea salt, seaweed, green apples and roasted pineapple.

 

In Short, 

It's not bad at all, if the nose is interesting, but a little too sweet for my taste, the palate and finish are balanced, and offer a powerful Big Peat with extra fruit. It's a curiosity that will delight fans of the profile. The price, however, is high in my opinion, and I'm not sure I'd recommend buying it at this price. Better buy the Christmas Edition instead.

Score : 87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           Star Circus - Turn the Tide