Tastes

(Couple drops of water) spreads the iodine saltiness out rather than it hitting so hard and at once; blends in more with the spiced fruity middle and sweet peat finish; v sweet finish, but smoke more sublimated.

(Neat, rested 20 mins) even sweeter up front than before; the iodine still quite noticeable but the spicy fruitiness cuts quicker through the salt, which for me makes the peat and smoke finish even more enjoyable.

(Neat, unrested) Smells of salt and faint grains. Tastes of brine, pepper, spice, sweet smoky peat, in that order. Opens up slowly, cant wait to explore that. None of the honey dried fruit notes I like, the peat is crazy good and the smokiness is gonna grow on me; now just need to find a cigar to try with it. (The iodine following up on the finish hopefully changes with a couple drops of water and/or resting it.)

(Straight and neat no resting.) Very sweet nose, pepper and fire with a little fruit on the palatte, then sweet again on the finish with undercurrent of orange and sherry. Not super interesting? but will try it with some time and/or water before using it as a mixer. Feels quite decent for the price range.

Tried neat again, but this time let it breathe about 15, then 30, minutes first. Sold on that! Bumps up the sweetness (right off the bat as well as throughout), vanilla, and total score for me. Less thin mouthfeel, the oiliness remains, and the spice I liked when tasted neat (as opposed to over ice, which weakened that significantly) is there; slightly less concentrated, but only slightly. https://www.mashed.com/187313/why-you-need-to-let-your-whiskey-breathe/

Trying over a (v small) block of ice as recommended. Accentuates the sweetness and oiliness. Doesn't feel as thin, but does activate the nose (and back of tongue/mouth) much more. Still plenty of burn on the end. Taste more of the suggested vanilla and nut notes than when straight. Miss some of the spice complexity, but otherwise much prefer. Will see next time if a couple drops of water turn the same trick.

Tried in a boulevardier - you'd think essentially adding a fourth ingredient (coffee) to the mix would be too much butnoh my GODS it was magnificent! (Mixed with campari and Hotel Starlino rosso vermouth; must try with the Adelaide Hills vermouth next.)

Still trying neat. Sherry influence, check. Sweet up front. Somehow thin *with* oily mouthfeel. No real peat, smoke, or vanilla. Some saltiness, but the heat/spice kicks in quickly to wash that away. Want to try on ice next.

Very thin and sharp / alcoholic, and surprisingly sweet for how much so. Very long rolling oily, spicy finish. (This is the first try so I'll come back around to it.)