This is the best offering since Kelpie or Dark Cove. Since Ardbeg has switched from their briny offerings to sweet profiles the Fest of Islay limited editions have been very good especially for NAS whisky. The briny ones were good though too. This one even though it's not on the brine side this is the best one yet IMO. Not sure if this is Mickey Heads going out on a high note or the new guard showing what great things they can do but this one is a winner. Nose make no mistake it's Ardbeg smoke is 1st. Then an almost Laphroaig medicinal note that is immediately replaced by ripe strawberries and raspberries. Then heavy syrup like malt notes appear and hiding way in the back is the citrus zest that is in every Ardbeg. Palate is sweet smoke, the sweet berry fruit notes along with a light peach note. Then the vanilla bean and vanilla cream show up big time a result of those wood sugars via heavy char barrels. Finally your left with some light wood and sweet smoke notes. Finish is a creeping pepper note with the sweet smoke and wood with some lingering vanilla sweetness and a mint after taste. Water actually kills the berries, sweetness and turns down the smoke on the nose. The medicinal note is much bigger becoming Campbeltown industrial in nature, the malt is more noticed and an alcohol note appears in lack of anything else. Palate with water keeps the sweetness but like a sweet tart candy and the vanilla cream stays because of the oils. The pepper note is ramped up with water and the mint notes are there in the end of the palate and stays with the wood and pepper through the finish. As is; was sweeter and had more depth with water makes it harsher and more a sweet Campbeltown. Think Kilkarren mixed with Tobermory and then just drink it neat.