Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) is the Dutch / Belgian version of Santa Claus, so to speak, although we should note that he’s based on an ancient Greek bishop and not invented by Coca-Cola. He brings gifts to children on the 6th of December.
This year, for the first time, Douglas Laing made a Sinterklaas Edition of its Islay blended malt Big Peat. Surprisingly they’re not playing with the fact that Sinterklaas’ servant is called Black Pete, perhaps because this is a sensitive issue nowadays. Big Peat Sinterklaas Edition has a distinctive packaging but also an extra finish in sherry casks and a generous strength. The tasting notes on the bottle even mention hints of chimney and steamboat spice.
Big Peat Sinterklaas Edition (54,5%, OB 2025, sherry finish, 1188 btl.)
Nose: vegetal smoke, hints of extinguished chimney fires, some smoked fish and a lot of dried seaweed. Then smoked lemons and pears, faint whiffs of rubber, kippers and roasted nuts. Subtle drops of camphor. There may be an added hint of butterscotch from the sherry, rounding off the edges, but otherwise the sherry is not particularly loud.
Mouth: now a bit more sherry influence, with raisins and hints of dried figs, along with the sooty smoke and some mild tarry notes. Some salted caramel and roasted nuts. Then barbecued meats, black peppercorns and Lapsang tea. Some brine comes out towards the end.
Finish: quite long, with smoked paprika and black pepper, along with bonfire smoke.
A solid peated whisky at an affordable price of around € 60. I found a sample at Whiskysite.nl and I’m sure there are still some bottles out there. They only seem to sell this in The Netherlands.