Name: The Big Smoke 46 Reviews & Tasting Notes
Brand: Duncan Taylor
SKU: 1009017
Price: 57.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 6.9 (42 reviews)

Scott, Jan 18, 2021

I really enjoyed this, but then again I like smoked meat, smoked beer, smoked cheese, etc. Nice and Smokey on both nose and palette without the fusel oil taste that peat will sometimes bring

Jason, Jan 17, 2021

Peaty, slow burn at the end and surprisingly spicy.

Nathan, Jan 2, 2021

Advent #14. I’m not a smoke person so obviously this isn’t for me. I can see why others would like it though.

Lawrence, Jan 1, 2021

Smoky with mild burn

Neil, Jan 1, 2021

I kinda like it. Was surprised when I looked at the card. Figured I would hate it but didn't.

David, Dec 31, 2020

Peaty but good. Just not my favorite

Kevin, Dec 27, 2020

Well, they came up with a great name for this whisky, it is really smokey, so good job there... I does bring me back to being in the woods, or at a campfire, so that’s nice... not sure I’ll buy a whole bottle, but glad I tried it!

Terry, Dec 25, 2020

No

Matthew, Dec 24, 2020

What the hell was this? Cremated remains is what this was. Aweful. Just aweful. This should not be offered to anyone ever. If I could give a rating that’s negative I would. Wow.

Stephen, Dec 23, 2020

Holy smoke. Heavy smoke, too heavy for my taste. Not a bad finish, just too overpowering.

Nathan, Dec 19, 2020

Lovely smell, not too complex on flavor

Todd, Dec 18, 2020

Not bad for Islay. Light smoke. Decent caramel.

Nicholas, Dec 17, 2020

Islay is not my go to but I appreciate and enjoy the complexities. Having a hard time stretching my tastes for this one though. Just getting a lot of the peat related notes (smoke, salt, bacon, campfire, etc) while struggling to get the sweeter undertones of vanilla and apple. I can still get there, but not as complex and significant as the heavy hitters more well known for their peat offerings.

Todd, Dec 17, 2020

Smoke, peat, and fire...it’s okay, but won’t purchase it. It’s not my taste preference.

Todd, Dec 17, 2020

Further...strong smoke comes across as charcoal tome...I smell and taste charcoal more than I do smoke. Still learning, so maybe I need to taste more.

Tracy, Dec 16, 2020

Mostly smoke and peat for me - not bad, but not my favorite

Matthew, Dec 16, 2020

When I first poured this I was a skeptical. It initially had a bit more of that sort of rubber and iodine scent I find off-putting in a lot of Islay scotch, but that disipated quickly leaving behind a more inviting smokiness with a slightly vegetal undertone. On the tongue it was substantial with a subdued sweetness and a bit of ash, like meat cooked directly in the flames of a campfire, and a lingering saltiness. I'm reserving about half of each pour from the advent calendar and wondering how the peated whiskies will compare when I try them side by side.

Frank, Dec 16, 2020

(Advent 2020, #14) In the nose all I got was smoke and peat. Tasting it, there's a lot of that smoke and peat flavor but with a little something else maybe it's the burnt caramel that the card notes? I'm normally not a fan of a big smoky & peaty Scotch, but I don't hate this one, although I don't love it either... I liked it better than the Pork Askaig a few days ago.

Evin, Dec 15, 2020

I'm still fairly new to the peaty taste of Islays, but I think I found another bottle for the cabinet with this one. It's unmistakably smokey flavor reminds me of sitting in just the right spot as a campfire, not too much, not too little. Under the smoke there are definite prominent notes of the caramel.

Derek, Dec 15, 2020

Heavy on the smoke and peat, as expected. Flavor profile was quite similar to the Port Askaig from a few days ago in the Advent calendar, minus the lemon and licorice mix that made that one so unpalatable to me. So that’s an advantage here. I absolutely love Laphroaig and quite like the Lagavulin that I’ve tried, so I thought I’d be likely to like these other Islays, but there’s something like a strong astringency that I get from the Duncan Taylor and Port Askaig- especially on the nose - that is off-putting to me.

Jason, Dec 15, 2020

Smoky and peaty, for sure. Balanced nicely with some toasted, sweet notes. Nice smooth finish. Not my preferred dram, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Andrew, Dec 15, 2020

Nice blend with smokey/peaty notes and a burnt finish.

Nikhil, Dec 15, 2020

Big smoke as advertised. A bit hot on the finish. Typically expect a blend to be bit smoother. Might be better on ice. (Advent Calendar Day 14)

James, Dec 15, 2020

Unmistakably Islay. If you like big smoke, medium peat, this is for you. Nose is smoke with sea air int he background. It's not my favorite style neat, but mixed very well and made for an excellent Rusty Nail. I'd consider a bottle for that purpose. 2020 Advent day 14

Mike, Dec 15, 2020

Probably would have passed by this blend, but tasing blind I feel like I found a winner. Heavy on the peat and smoke, with plenty more there too.

Thomas, Dec 15, 2020

Heavy smoke, medium- peat. A touch of sweetness. Reasonable complexity. Pleasing, but not life defining. Favorite advent calendar tasting thus far (day 14).

Brady, Dec 15, 2020

Solid scotch blend, definitely peaty up front with a clean finish and aftertaste that lasts awhile. Worth it for the price.

Louise, Dec 15, 2020

After dinnerish. Smoky in front of the fire.

Vincent, Dec 15, 2020

Advent Day 14 - Smoke & peat on the nose. On the palate, the smoke is more like that of a beach bonfire.

Mark, Dec 15, 2020

Nice with a single ice cube, Smokey and peaty flavors

Matthew, Dec 15, 2020

I was hesitant due to my terrible experience on Night 12 with Port Askaig 8-Year-Old, but this was very pleasant! Strong smoke, but lighter on the peat, quickly giving way to a caramel sweetness and a hint of sea salt. Excellent blend! Seaside fire comes to mind.

brad, Dec 15, 2020

Good stuff. Nice and smoky/peaty, but less medicinal taste than Laphroaig 10. Between the 2, I think I like this better.

Adam, Dec 15, 2020

I’m a big fan of smoky/peaty whisky. Before tasting this, I was a bit concerned it would be overly smokey. While it is heavy on the smoke/peat, there’s a great flavor complexity underneath.

James, Dec 15, 2020

surprise of Advent Calendar so far--though usually neither a fan of overly smoky, overly peaty whisky, this one somehow just works, and the nutty, carmelly flavor sits just below the smokiness with a bit of salinity. Liked it much more than expected--perfect for a raw March day near the sea

Jesse, Dec 15, 2020

Gross. All smoke

Bob, Dec 15, 2020

Flaviar Advent sampler # 14. I really like this one! Very much like an Islay Scotch. You can smell the caramel, taste the smoke and peat. I'd definitely buy a bottle of this. Added to my wishlist.

Kris, Dec 14, 2020

Definite smoke/peat on the nose but there is also a savory component almost like bacon. The flavor is smooth I'd like a bit more variety than just the peaty/earthiness. A little water opens this up nicely.

Daniel, Dec 5, 2020

Advent 2020 #14 - we aren't Scotch fans but this is excellent! The smoke/peat is there but subdued when the sweet backend hits. The smoke lingers on the taste buds in a nice way.

Bruce, Nov 24, 2020

My wife loves smokey and she is very happy with this one!! Got it for her.

Finny, Aug 14, 2020

Smells lke a 1950 hospital's OR. Horrible taste.

Justin, Jun 18, 2019

Pretty solid blend for the price if you like Islay scotch. I prefer Compass Box Peat Monster or some of the blends from Wemyss, but they are a bit more expensive.

Som, Nov 1, 2016

This was quite a surprise. Definitely Big Islay that opens the over with a sixer and then simmers down to a long boundary. Perfect after running mutton curry or similar zesty fare and best with a robusto and a splash of H2O to open up the concoction post dinner and by a fireside. Looking forward to enjoying more of it this winter.

Ricky, Sep 29, 2016

The only blended for an Islay lover! It's exactly what you think it would be in that it hits hard with the smoke and peat...yet it's surprisingly refined on the palate with balancing sweetness and vanilla. This could easily become a go to dram for me.