Connemara Original Peated Single Malt

oaky aroma, soft sweet sip, slight burn with peat follow

This is not my first dram of Connemara, but it's been awhile since I've had any...and this is better than I remember. The nose, while not particularly smoky, has the a certain commonality with an Islay dram (my mind goes to Laphroaig) - sweet vanilla, brine, olive, a certain vegetal quality. The palate doesn't put much smoke on display, but that briny, seabreezy, iodine-y, band-aidy peat quality is front and center, with a bright, sweet vanilla at the core. The finish is lightly drying, with (finally) a hint of smoke. I sure hope this is the rule, not the exception, for the entry level Connemara, because if it is, they've stepped up their game in some exciting ways.