Filey Bay Flagship vs Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Side-by-side comparison — price, ABV, scores, tasting notes, pros & cons.

Filey Bay FlagshipBig Peat at Christmas 2021
DistilleryFiley BayBig Peat
RegionIslay
CountryEnglandScotland
TypeSingle MaltBlended Malt
ABV46%52.8%
AgeNASNAS
Price£55.75£47.9
Rating4.75/55.00/5

Filey Bay Flagship

Smoke0/100
Sweetness66/100
Beginner80/100
Value85/100

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Smoke66/100
Sweetness0/100
Beginner35/100
Value100/100

Filey Bay Flagship

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokySweetFruitySpicyWoodyFloral

Quick verdict

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is rated higher (5.00 vs 4.75).

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is better value at £48 vs £56.

For beginners: Filey Bay Flagship is more approachable (80/100 beginner score).

Filey Bay Flagship

Pros

  • +Approachable and beginner-friendly sweetness
  • +Great entry point for new whisky drinkers
  • +More widely reviewed by the community

Cons

  • More expensive (£55.75 vs £47.9)
  • Lower community rating (4.8 vs 5.0)
  • Lacks smoke character compared to the alternative

Big Peat at Christmas 2021

Pros

  • +Balanced smoky character without being overwhelming
  • +Better value for money
  • +Higher community rating (5.0/5)
  • +More affordable (£47.9 vs £55.75)

Cons

  • High ABV (52.8%) — may need water
  • Dry and austere — not for those who prefer sweeter drams

Who should buy Filey?

Filey Bay Flagship is an ideal first whisky — sweet, approachable, and widely available. It's a great gift and a safe choice for anyone new to whisky or who prefers lighter, friendlier drams.

Who should buy Big?

Big Peat at Christmas 2021 is for enthusiasts who appreciate cask-strength intensity. Best enjoyed with a few drops of water to open up the flavours. Not ideal for casual drinking or beginners.

Tasting notes

Only Filey Bay Flagship

HoneyVanillaFresh FruitMalt Extract

Only Big Peat at Christmas 2021

SmokeyMedicinalCoal-gasOily

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