I didn't know what to expect with the Islay Barley. At 50% ABV, I recommend giving it time to breathe before nosing otherwise you're in for a sharp surprise. That said, with the passage of time, the aromas kept changing on me by revealing flavours I never thought were even relatable to whisky. I had the age of this Scotch pegged between 5-7 years (I later learned it's 6) because the initial profiles on the nose were characteristic of a young whisky - think green apples and grapes (much like Arran's Robert Burns). However, the profile then evolved into a gentler, more muted sweetness in the form of custard and red bean. The palate was the biggest surprise. I was anticipating sweet, floral notes, but instead was hit with peppery spices and salt. The finish unboxed flavours of the ocean such as sea salt, kelp, brine, and slight peat - likely the environmental influence of the Islay barley. There is some sweetness in there, but you'll find it on the tail-end of the finish which, again, was very muted. For a young whisky, I'd argue that this Bruichladdich experiment was a success! The biggest surprise for me was how the flavour profile kept evolving which made my dram so much more challenging yet enjoyable. If you're lucky to find yourself a bottle somewhere on the shelf, I'd recommend you buy it! NOSE: Caramelized pears, slight peat, McIntosh apples, sultana, light oak, strawberries, malted barley, red bean paste, egg custard PALATE: Peppered spice, peat, sea salt, cinnamon, ginger root, mild honey FINISH: Brine, sea salt, seaweed, kelp, grass, malt, red bean paste, slight peat Rating: 86/100 Grade: B Good – not a “must”, but a nice-to-have.